Caregivers’ desire to care for others as family members or professionals can often overlook their own needs. When providing dedicated support to loved ones or clients is admirable, neglecting one’s own health can lead to burnout and poor well-being. Therefore, it’s imperative for caregivers to dedicate time to plan and prioritize their social, physical, mental, and spiritual health. Caregivers, no matter if paid or unpaid, face challenges each day. A caregiver becomes aware that flexibility is key when caring for others. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help caregivers to support themselves:

1. Acknowledge the Importance of Self-Care: Recognize that self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a necessary component of an effective caregiver. Prioritize your well-being to ensure you can provide quality care to your loved one or client/patient. Self-care is emotional, physical, and spiritual, requiring specialization in each area. Seek doctors regularly and counsel for mental support, while prayer or other forms of spiritual rejuvenation can be helpful.
   
2. Build a Support Network: Don’t hesitate to seek help from friends, family members, or support groups. A reliable support network and a “village” alleviates stress and provides emotional and physical reinforcement during challenging times. Caregivers can feel that asking is a burden. Do not hesitate to ask for help when needed. Everyone needs assistance sometimes.
   
3. Schedule Regular Breaks: Incorporate breaks into your routine to recharge and unwind. Whether it’s a short walk, meditation session, or pursuing a hobby, allocating time for yourself is crucial for maintaining balance. Breaks can be just stepping outside and breathing or a fun call with a friend. Be aware of the time given externally to others while balancing the internal development required to maintain strength to manage the day-to-day.
   
4. Maintain Social Connections: Nurture relationships outside of caregiving to prevent feelings of isolation. Schedule regular outings with friends or participate in community events to stay connected with the world beyond caregiving responsibilities. It is often hard when caregiving to support social activities when mentally or physically drained. It is important to continue to make calls and meet friends to keep good health. There is time in the day for social interaction, and some caregivers will need to push themselves to engage more regularly.
   
5. Prioritize Physical Health: Maintain a healthy lifestyle by incorporating regular exercise, nutritious meals, and adequate sleep into your routine. Physical well-being forms the foundation for managing the demands of caregiving effectively. A caregiver’s strength is in their health. If the caregiver is ill, it is challenging to care for others. Many caregivers must protect their backs, wrists, fingers, and shoulders in care. The push and pull of others can take a toll, so stretching is critical to good health. Watch your cats and dogs. They always stretch after sleep or before an activity.
   
6. Seek Professional Help When Needed: Don’t hesitate to consult healthcare professionals or therapists if you’re experiencing overwhelming stress or mental health challenges. Addressing issues as they occur can prevent them from escalating. It is essential for caregivers as it is for the people, they care for to have access to the professionals required.
   
7. Practice Stress-Relief Techniques: Explore stress-relief techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or yoga. These practices can help alleviate tension and promote relaxation. I suggest the for relaxation: Breathe in for a count of 4. Hold your breath for the count of 7. Breathe out slowly for a count of 8. Repeat this breathing technique until you feel relaxed鈥攐ther ways of releasing stress are walking, gardening, or doing what is enjoyable. Stress-relief is not work or something that must be forced. Type A personalities may find it difficult not to push or pull while creating stress relief. Remember, stress relief is good for everyone, regardless of age or profession.
   
8. Set Realistic Expectations: Accept that you can’t do everything perfectly. Set realistic expectations for yourself and prioritize tasks based on their importance. Learn to delegate responsibilities when necessary. Placing needs or wants in the proper perspective can be helpful. A pro or con list can support good decision-making while gaining advice from others who are wise and helpful in situations.
   
9. Take Advantage of Respite Care Services: Utilize respite care services to relieve yourself of caregiving duties temporarily. This allows you to take much-needed breaks while ensuring your loved one receives adequate care. Respite is not cheap, so maybe the plan is to coordinate a friend assistance chain to provide support so the caregiver can rest. Find ways to take time off when possible, that are healthy for the caregiver and the ones being cared for.
   
10. Monitor Your Mental Health: Pay attention to signs of caregiver burnout or depression, such as feelings of hopelessness or persistent fatigue. Seek professional assistance if you’re struggling to cope with the emotional toll of caregiving. It is easy to lose your way while caregiving because it requires time and focus. Caregiver’s solution to good mental health is to check in on yourself while those close friends can give feedback on your management. Always be bold and check in on how you’re responding to challenges because, as a caregiver, there are many. Because of the isolation, caregivers can feel that what they are experiencing is unique to their situation. Be aware you are not alone! A caregiver’s situation may be different, but others have experienced similar or the same experience, so reach out to others for advice.

In conclusion, planning for caregiver care is not just beneficial鈥攊t’s essential. By prioritizing your social, physical, and mental well-being, you can sustain yourself as a caregiver and continue providing compassionate support to your loved one. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. The caregiver is always needed, so their care is vital to the team, whether paid or unpaid.

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By Tyra Oldham

The holiday season often revolves around spreading joy, love and care to those around us. For caregivers whose daily lives are dedicated to tending to the needs of others, this time can be both rewarding and draining. As we celebrate this season of giving, caregivers must extend that same level of care toward themselves.

There are over 48 million caregivers as reported by AARP in 2015.聽 Consider the number of caregivers today that are reported or underreported especially after COVID. The National Library of Medicine reports, 鈥淔amily and friends who provide regular care for a sick or dependent individual (鈥渃aregivers鈥�) are at increased risk of health-related socioeconomic vulnerabilities (HRSVs)鈥� reported in October 2022. The effects on women are more profound. This article is to inspire caregivers to nurture themselves in order to care for others.

Wish One: Caring for our bodies: Caregivers give their all, often neglecting their physical well-being. This season, the Holiday Wish is to prioritize self-care. Schedule those overdue doctor’s appointments, visit chiropractors, and indulge in massages. A caregiver’s body endures tremendous strain, requiring care and strengthening to continue their invaluable work.

Wish Two: Embrace playfulness: The emotional weight of caregiving can be overwhelming. It’s essential to balance this with playfulness and fun. Finding moments of joy rejuvenates the spirit and supplies a necessary break from the intensity of caregiving responsibilities.

Wish Three: Foster connections: Caregivers can inadvertently isolate themselves in the cocoon of constant care. Making time for friends or engaging with the community is vital. Whether through visits, calls, or attending events, stepping out of the caregiving role allows for meaningful connections with others.

Wish Four: Rediscover passions: Caregiving can overshadow personal goals and passions. This wish encourages rekindling those sidelined aspirations. Rediscovering personal passions revitalizes purpose and nurtures the caregiver’s sense of self amid their dedication to others.

Wish Five: Lean on faith: In the chaos of caregiving, finding solace in faith or spirituality can create immense strength. Embracing prayer, meditation, or connecting with one’s beliefs offers a source of resilience and hope during challenging times.

Acknowledgment and appreciation: A crucial part of this Holiday Care Wish is recognizing caregivers’ relentless efforts. Their commitment to caring for children, spouses, friends, parents, or clients deserves applause. They serve as beacons of support while also needing care themselves.

As airline safety procedures recommend that travelers place their masks on first, caregivers must prioritize self-care before tending to others. The foundation of good care lies in maintaining one’s health to continue the invaluable service of caring for others.

In this season of giving, let’s extend our Holiday Care Wish to caregivers:

• Acknowledging their efforts.
• Supporting their well-being.
• Reminding them they are indispensable in the world of service.

So, to all caregivers out there, here is a resounding “Good Job!” Your care is a shining light in the lives of those you support.

Contact Care Corner for suggested massage therapists and healthcare professionals at care@carecorner.info

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In a world often driven by individualism and self-preservation, care’s profound and transformative power remains an understated force. It is a force that touches the lives of those in need and empowers those who selflessly provide care. Care, in its essence, goes beyond mere physical or emotional assistance; it encompasses the gift of “dignity.” This article explores the intrinsic connection between care and dignity, celebrating the beautiful act of providing dignity to those who require it. The inspiration for this discussion comes from my mother’s caregiver, Angela Stanley, with ProMedica, who shared, “I give dignity to my mother.” Angela’s words serve as a testament to the life-changing influence of care. Her words inspired me to understand we give ourselves dignity while young, but others give dignity when older or infirm.

The Essence of Care

Care is the expression of compassion and empathy. It is a profound act of kindness, often extending beyond the scope of familial relations. Whether it’s a nurse tending to a patient, a volunteer helping people experiencing homelessness, or a caregiver like Angela and myself, care embodies the essence of human goodness. It is a testament to our shared humanity, as it recognizes that every individual, irrespective of their circumstances, deserves to be treated with respect and compassion.

The Importance of Dignity

Dignity is a fundamental human right. It is the intrinsic value and worth that every person possesses. Dignity transcends age, health, or social status. When we are young and able-bodied, we have the ability to uphold our dignity through self-reliance and independence. However, as we age or face situations that render us dependent on others, preserving one’s dignity can become more challenging. At this critical juncture, caregivers step in to bridge the gap.

The Power of Dignity in Care

Providing dignity to those in need is at the heart of caregiving. It is a powerful act that can restore a person’s sense of self-worth and maintain their humanity. Dignity in care means recognizing an individual’s preferences, honoring their choices, and treating them with the respect and kindness they deserve. It is about valuing their uniqueness and not reducing them to their conditions.

When Angela stated, “I give dignity to my mother,” she acknowledged the core of my caregiving journey. By upholding my mother’s dignity, I am addressing her physical needs but also validating my mother’s life and experiences. Like countless other caregivers, I am actively participating in creating an environment where the cared for can maintain their sense of self.

The Reciprocity of Care

What is beautiful about caring is the reciprocity it generates. While caregivers give dignity to those they care for, they also receive a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. This reciprocity is a beautiful aspect of caregiving, as it reminds us that the act of giving care can be as transformative for the caregiver as it is for the recipient.

Caring Remembrance

Caregivers are beacons of hope in a world often overshadowed by self-interest and personal gain. Their unwavering commitment to providing care and dignity to those in need is a testament to the enduring power of care. Angela’s simple yet profound statement, “I give dignity to my mother,” encapsulates the essence of caregiving. It is a reminder that when we care for others, we are, in fact, upholding the dignity of humanity itself. The power of care and dignity is a force that can transform lives, and it is a force that deserves recognition and celebration in our society.

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To think about care means to give a quality of life to others no matter someone’s age, health, or challenges. It is easy to overlook those in care. For some, seeing a potential future can make them uncomfortable鈥攆urther, it is easy for others to ignore people they do not value. Moreover, there can be a dismissive quality toward those perceived as infirm, weak, old, or not contributing to some form of productivity in society. The ability to care has a visual and perceptual component inherent in the communication style of those in care. Communication is relevant to the person in care so that their needs are met for a better quality of life.

How often have you experienced someone speaking to a senior and raising their voice to communicate? Another example is not listening to the person in care to move on with your day, creating a narrative for the other that the person in care does not confirm. Yes, there are those in care that communication is more than a challenge and potentially impossible, but the goal for a caregiver to try.

As a caregiver, there is essential patience in listening. Listening can lead to stepping back and taking more time to get into the mind and moment of the person speaking. Listening can require one to open up and dive deep for additional patience.

Be Thoughtful

In communication, be thoughtful and engage with empathy as well as compassion. Allow time in your busy schedule to slow down and be in the moment. Engage thoughtfully and ask questions to ensure you hear what is being communicated. Try not to hear what you think, but listen and watch for cues for better communication.

All About the Other Person

When communicating, it’s more about the other person. You may say why. To be supportive, the person being cared for may not be as expressive as they once were, so it is up to the caregiver to take time to think:

• What is the person saying?
• Have I heard what was intended?
• Can I ask more simple defining questions for clarity?
• Have I taken time to look at their demeanor, eyes, and non-verbal cues?
• Ask if I am present in the conversation and if not, take time to become present.

Be Active Listener

Active listening is a practice to ensure a participatory conversation. that “Your elderly loved one might be having a tough time telling you what they are thinking. However, you shouldn’t finish their sentences for them. Don’t let your impatience take over. Allow your elderly loved one to talk and give them the time they need to do so. Listen completely to what they are telling you.”

Be an Active Listener and empathetic to those in any stage of care. The caregiver seeks to restore and support those in need by learning to listen for increased communication. Providing an ear to others allows for healing and may prevent other issues in the future.

Communication is essential to a healthy life for the caregiver and the patient or loved one. Communication is not only for the caregiver but for practitioners, professionals, and friends. When we listen to others, we produce care, give voice to the afflicted, and we reduce the marginalization of others. Taking time to listen and communicate may change the relationship.

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By Dr. Tyra Oldham

In the history of human civilization, the true measure of a society鈥檚 greatness lies not merely in its technological advancements or economic prosperity but in how it treats and cares for its citizens.

By examining how a society treats its most vulnerable members, particularly the elderly, we can gain profound insights into its values, compassion and level of enlightenment. A society that genuinely cares for its elderly population demonstrates a profound empathy for care, while understanding its overall contributions to society.

A society can be judged by how it cares for its citizens. A society that cares for older people is enlightened by valuing and honoring their wisdom. In the present, we stand on the backs and contributions of those who went before us. Laws and policies are necessary to protect the vulnerable and regard their safety, health and care needs. A society with empathy for others is inextricably linked to a prosperous society, especially in caring for our children and elderly.

Older people are one of our most precious resources. The exclusion of older people is defined as age discrimination. To discriminate based on age, leading to the substandard treatment of older citizens, is a cause for concern.

What we do to older people will undoubtedly be repeated over the generations, producing a cycle of disrespect and break in humanity. Some may ask what value the elderly offer. I excitedly scream our older citizens offer experience and relational connectivity to the past and present.

Their experience can provide value and connect generations to the historical elements that provide knowledge of the present. There is a need for connective tissue of history to the present within any communication, process or system leading to innovation.

The twist on discrimination for older people is that age discrimination suggested by AARP is between 45 and 70. Many believe it starts at 50. And for women, discrimination can potentially start earlier in different situations.

This topic of concern for us is to consider the U.S. Supreme Court rolling back affirmative action in universities; it also placed a higher burden to prove age discrimination giving employers more control.

The AARP reported in 2009 a U.S. Supreme Court ruling made it harder for older workers who鈥檝e experienced proven age discrimination to prevail in court.

The decision to produce a higher standard of discrimination for older workers impacts not just employment but the rights and care of older Americans.

Older people cannot afford to have their rights trampled. The loss of rights leads to further breakdowns impacting their retirements, benefits, health care and access to services.

It is important that older citizens are respected and cared for to accommodate their needs at any age. Our nation need not relegate our elderly to the sidelines. An enlightened society values the wisdom and perspective its seniors offer. A society of empathy and care seeks to tap into its wealth of insights to guide future generations.

The next step is to ensure gains driven by collective efforts for our older citizens that promote comprehensive care, health care facilities, social support networks and inclusive policies that empower them to have a wholly safe and healthy life after their careers are complete.

By embracing older people as precious resources rather than disregarding them as burdensome liabilities, such a society signifies its commitment to inclusivity, empathy and intergenerational connectivity.

A society undervaluing its elderly will ultimately be judged for the care of all its citizens. A society unable to integrate all citizens can ultimately undervalue the knowledge necessary for a vital dynamic nation.

We as a society must revere our elderly and grant them the respect that their age has afforded them.

Protect our elderly!

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Care is integral to the lives of people with health and disabilities and is often vital to short-term requirements after surgery or an accident. Still, care is a process, solution, and delivery method that potentially will be converted to Artificial Intelligence (AI). When we consider the connection to care through the lens of race, economics, and gender, there is still inequity. Now consider the impact of care with the infusion of AI and how it will change the role and delivery of care. Consider the elimination of careers limiting the services already shrinking after the pandemic. AI will create new areas of care advancements along with gaps in services. Generative AI is offering new solutions to healthcare.   reports, “There has been a lot of hype around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries鈥攕o much hype, in fact, that it can be hard to separate truth from fiction. But healthcare is one area where the importance of this technology cannot be overstated.”

Stat News commented, “AI models are actually doing when they produce an answer. In short, they’re doing math.” The gaps in care under race and economics can make math more divisive if the only logic being disseminated is based on current data that is far from complete. 

“AI experts are still trying to understand, and explain, how and why they work better than prior systems, and what blind spots might undermine their usefulness in medicine,” states  in the article “What does generative AI mean for healthcare?

The big question is to mind the blind spots. The blind spots are what this  is critical to mention. Even people in care who are insured need advocates and often family members to gain thorough care. Now AI steps into the care picture, which can expedite information, eradicate data loss, and reduce risks to healthcare organizations, but this does not always flow back to patient’s care.

, Manager KPMG Ignition reveals, “Generative AI has demonstrated remarkable progress in deciphering complex health data and has the potential to revolutionize healthcare with personalized treatment plans, proficient image analysis, and predictive analytics. Yet, the underrepresentation of marginalized communities in health data poses a risk of deepening healthcare disparities and further engraining systemic biases at scale. To mitigate this, we must invest in comprehensive data collection initiatives that prioritize these populations and rely on strategies such as synthetic data generation to fill the gaps in the meantime.” 

The opportunity for AI is to manage care needs while systematically increasing organizations’ growth. The advancement of AI may require changes in healthcare management to Value-Based Care. Sheila Talton, CEO of Gray Matter Analytics, shared that “.” She said, “Social determinants can account for 80% of health outcomes.”

Talton promoting , stated in , said, “Healthcare spending is projected to exceed , largely driven by rising costs of care for an aging population and the growing number of Americans suffering from chronic physical conditions such as pulmonary disease, diabetes and hypertension. Unfortunately, too many provider organizations lack the insights into their patient populations that are necessary to offer whole-person care. They may fail to recognize the existence of social determinants of health (SDoH) 鈥� the financial, social and environmental conditions that significantly affect a person’s well-being.” 

The inability to capture information on those understudied or undervalued in care will continue to be under-assessed in a data-driven structure.

I am advocating for quality care for all! The gaps in social determinants in healthcare will effectively become gaps in AI, impacting the best care. AI can offer some solutions to increasing process care, but we will all need to be concerned about what AI does not know, especially for people of color and women.

Guest of the Impact of AI on Care:

Sheila Talton is the President and CEO of , which she founded in 2013. 

Sami Kosaraju () Manager, KPMG Ignition – Innovation Lab 

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By Tyra Oldham

The role of a caregiver comes with many challenges. If you are a caregiver, you understand the complexity of caring for someone and caring for their needs while managing your own.

The stages of care start by learning the processes of care and what is required. Next, the caregiver learns how to manage life while managing others.聽Last, caregivers learn how to face the end of the care and what is required to safely and happily transition their loved ones.

The last stage of care can be overwhelming when sadness and delivering empathetic care to your loved ones. This article was in response to a dear friend of our family who recently lost a son.聽As they were dealing with their loss, they were responsible for the requirements of the culture to host food while scheduling the going-home arrangements. It made me think of how we share in saying goodbye to family members and how important it is to support them when people are grieving.

The thoughts in caregiving are the cycle of life when parents care for their children and they grow up to care for their parents. This is a nice and global method in the care process of family-to-family-care. Both scenarios are expected, but the loss of a child is never expected even in the reality of sickness. The loss of parents despite their age children understand the impending loss of a parent, even then it can come too soon. The important part of care is to learn how to manage tragedy and loss when caregiving comes to an end.

The important reality of caregiving is it is time limited. The cycle of life in a parent鈥檚 caregiving ceases when their children become independent, and a child鈥檚 caregiving to a parent will cease at the end of life. The steps supporting the friends and family of those who have lost someone are important to caring for others in tragedy.聽

In death, each culture has its celebration and way of saying goodbye. Each has a process to manage the loss with family and friends. This is important when we think a person or family has lost someone special unexpectedly too soon or in their time. No matter the loss is painful.

The opportunity is to create and share care with those experiencing loss.聽When people are going through grief it is important to provide empathy.聽

Empathy is the ability to understand and recognize the feelings of another person. It can be challenging to understand another鈥檚 loss without having their own experience. For those who are seeking to support someone going through loss, here are a few suggestions that can make a difference in another鈥檚 life.

The role of caring for those in loss:

鈥� Ask what the person suffering a loss needs and provide requests.

鈥� Share the care,聽 but remember the person grieving is in their loss alone and trying to manage the grief of losing their loved one. Often people on the outside attempting to care can make others pain about themselves.

鈥� Refrain from personalizing another鈥檚 pain. Caring embraces another where they are in their stages of grief.

鈥� Remember grief and loss continues past the going home ceremony. Families need support long after the public gathering. Friends and family can continue to support those in the loss by providing what is requested.

鈥� Grief is not on the clock. Grief and sorrow last as long as the person moves past the loss to acceptance. (Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D.)

鈥� When communicating with someone experiencing grief, stay present and allow the person in bereavement to set the tone of the conversation. Empathy allows for caring while being present to the needs of others.

It is important to remember those who are caregivers are committed to caring for one another over time. The time they give can be unselfish, requiring an emotional, physical and personal bond along with a commitment to give.

When a caregiver loses a family member, it can be emotional. The role of others is to become a caregiver to those at loss and be the empathetic solution to those grieving.

Caregivers need care as well, even after they cease to give care to others.聽

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