Do You Consider Yourself a Caregiver?

You spend time helping a loved one every week – because you care about them and they need help. Simple as that. You take them to the doctor, pick up their prescriptions, make sure they take their medication, and maybe even perform some wound care. You sort mail and pay bills. And help with the cooking and the laundry.

But when you fill in a form with a space that asks for your loved one’s caregiver – you put “none.” Because you don’t consider yourself a caregiver, and you’re not alone in that. The AARP Caregiver Identification study found that only 19% of caregivers consider themselves caregivers.  

There’s lots of discussion about why someone might not want to admit (to themselves or others) that they are not a caregiver. Some say it is the societal expectation that a “family problem” is private. Others suggest it is a sense of duty. Still, others say it is a form of denial – not accepting that your loved one is “that sick.” They just need “some help.”

How to Know if You Are a Caregiver

If you are wondering if you are a caregiver, you probably are. These are typical caregiving tasks:

• Emotionally supporting a family member or friend through a tough time
• Helping with bathing, toileting, grooming, exercise, etc.
• Preparing meals, organizing meal deliveries, and buying groceries
• Running errands like picking up prescriptions, taking a pet to the vet, and purchasing household supplies
• Yard work and household tasks like mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, and washing dishes
• Picking up medications at the pharmacy and vitamins or supplements at the health food store
• Organizing, setting, and driving to medical, dental, legal, and banking appointments
• Dispensing medications
• Health monitoring by checking vital signs, keeping track of changes in health
• Acting as a medical liaison with or without Medical Power of Attorney

The more of these that resonate with what you do, the more likely it is that you stepped into the caregiver role.

Over 65 million Americans take care of loved ones, and 80% have a paid job, too. This juggling act puts employed family caregivers at risk for stress, burnout, and physical and mental health conditions. Plus, family caregivers are more likely to face financial crises, job instability, and relationship problems.

Ultimately, you fit in the role of a caregiver if you are concerned about the health and well-being of an elderly or vulnerable person and you regularly help them. But let’s look at some specific indicators, so you can be absolutely sure.

Signs You Are a Caregiver

Here are some major indications that determine if you, or someone you know, is a caregiver.

Time Spent Helping and Checking on Your Caree

There’s a difference between visiting and checking on someone. If you regularly go to check in and see if everything is okay, you are at least starting to take on the role of a caregiver. Most people can manage up to 10 hours per week without affecting other responsibilities, but once you are doing nursing tasks, the time adds up.

Many families find an App, like the BrioCare system, connecting you to your vulnerable family member takes much of the stress and worry out of caregiving. Both caregiver and caree find peace of mind in the automated processes, continuous connection, and increased independence. Worry is removed with:

• Personalized Care Routines
• Medication Reminders and Refills
• Daily Well-being Updates
• Emergency Help
• Video Chat & Photo Sharing
• Check-ins & Daily Reports
• Easy Family Care Connection
• Grandchildren, family, and friends share personal messages directly using their Alexa device

Family caregivers stay updated on how their loved one is doing and stay aware of what’s happening in their daily lives.

Household Duties

Many household tasks become more difficult for vulnerable or elderly individuals. These tasks are simple for you, so it makes sense to do them yourself. Of course, as much other help as possible, and modifications to their living situation, make things easier for everyone.

Dietary Needs

Everyone needs to eat, but providing well-balanced meals can become more difficult, too much hassle or a truly daunting task. Those who have dementia may forget to eat. This fundamental task seems like offering a helping hand to a loved one, but this is a clear indication that you are a caregiver.

Running Errands

Perhaps your loved one has stopped driving, or maybe it is simply easier to run their errands on your way home from work. Either way, running errands for someone puts you in the category of their caregiver.

Personal Care and Hygiene

Daily activities like showering and getting ready for the day become challenging, so it becomes difficult to maintain personal hygiene. Caregivers often lay out clothes the night before or help loved ones shower to reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

Doctors’ Appointments

Doctors’ appointments have become more frequent. You may end up arranging, providing transportation, and attending doctors’ appointments constantly.

Many doctors, caregivers, and carees are working to shift as many appointments as possible to telemedicine. Since carees are vulnerable, staying away from clinics and hospitals reduces the risk of COVID-19 exposure. No transportation. And frequently, the caregiver attends from a location different from the caree. For example, the caree may stay at home while the caregiver attends the virtual medical appointment from work.

Companies support this option, so employed caregivers do not need to take time off by setting up a Caring Place. This allows family caregivers the opportunity to attend medical appointments without leaving work.

Paying Bills and Sorting Mail

Sometimes elderly loved ones forget to pay bills or sort through the mail. Con artists often target older people, so caregivers check the finances. If you are in charge of looking for important correspondence and watching bank accounts and bills, you are a caregiver for their financial obligations.

Following Medical Instructions 

If you know your loved one’s medication schedule, even if you are not reminding them to take their meds, you are a caregiver. But most caregivers do at least set up the alarm reminders, like on the BrioCare App, so they don’t have to personally remind their caree of every dose.

Following medical instructions can and does go far beyond reminding your loved one to take their pills. Their doctor may have given you instructions to monitor vital signs, do wound care, or perform other nursing tasks. Caregiving over 10 hours per week usually includes these healthcare tasks.

It is essential you know that you are not obligated to perform these nursing tasks!

Your caree has a right to medical care through the healthcare system. You have the right to refuse any task you don’t want to do – for ANY reason. Request the healthcare provider set up a healthcare professional to perform these medical tasks! The Golden Rule -you must be your own best advocate!

So, Are You a Caregiver?

There are many duties that caregivers undertake. Many resources are available, but you have even more access to help and support if you are employed. Ask your employer about the CareWise Solutions HUB and the BrioCare App to help get your stress and time under control.

Your role as a caregiver matters, and you are appreciated. You can access free employee-caregiver resources from the non-profit arm of CareWise Solutions™. We appreciate donations from employers and your community.

 If you, or your employer, would like more information, please CLICK HERE.