A Caregiver: Helping those that can’t help themselves

Caregivers have been around in some form and capacity since the beginning of mankind. Family members taking care of those that can’t take care of themselves allowed lifespans to be increased and has been implemented to most cultures as a necessary service. It’s even expected that sometimes, those that need care move in with the caretakers in most cultures. 

Caretakers have been known to be family members or nurses that help the disabled or elderly. They help perform the smallest task for their patients, from helping with putting on shoes – to ensuring that patients’ last days in hospice are the most comfortable. Caretakers are without a doubt essential in society. Who they are and what are some issues that these supporters face everyday are probably not very known.

Who are The People Behind This Role?

They also have many roles, ranging from family to private duty. There are also more caretakers than we think. Approximately 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months. It also appears that a majority of these them also care for one adult (82%) versus two adults (15%) and three or more adults (3%). What do these supporters look like? More than 75% of all caretakers are female and spend more than 50% of their time with male recipients.

Although there are many different kinds of caretakers and have spanned different cultures, there are some common core characteristics that are essential for their everyday duties. According to SeniorHelpers.ca, caretakers need to have the following traits:

• Patience – Due to patients taking longer to perform simple tasks, this is key to providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere.
• Dependability – Whatever kind of support the patient needs, they will benefit greatly from someone who is dependable.
• Compassion – Empathizing with patients and their current situation is critical for caring for an individual.
• Supportive – Due to loss of independence, the individual affected may feel discouraged and it’s important for the caretaker to encourage their personal growth.
• Attentiveness – Being able to assist the individual better by being there for them when it’s needed most allows them to reduce inconveniences for those that need help.

Caregivers helping themselves

Although these supporters help their patients everyday with small tasks, it can sometimes be a thankless job. Taking on the burden of others and keeping track of one’s well-being can be both mentally and physically taxing. Oftentimes caretakers work long hours or have to take care of others 24/7, with little to no time for focusing on themselves. It is common that caretakers don’t accept help from others due to feeling guilt about receiving that help and wait until a breaking point to look for help.

One other issue that caretakers deal with on a daily basis is overcoming a natural resistance to help others when they are tired, frustrated or stressed. Many of us have the option to give up on certain activities when we don’t feel like doing them, but caretakers don’t have the ability to make that choice unfortunately.  One of the last issues that caretakers face is understanding and adjusting to helping themselves just as much, if not more than those that they help. Reducing personal stress is the number one tool in helping yourself to be well. Caretakers deserve to take time for themselves.

Thankful for Caregivers

We at ClipDifferent, truly appreciate all that is done by these amazing individuals. November is National Caregiver Month and we would like to say thank you to those that perform these selfless duties everyday. Our own team is made up of caretakers, so we are familiar with these vital roles. Melanie McMullen was a hospice caretaker for her late mother and Lynne Striker is a caretaker everyday for her son Dylan. ClipDifferent’s mission is to make life a little bit easier by developing products for people of different backgrounds and have pledged to help those that can’t help themselves.

About ClipDifferent

ClipDifferent, GBC. is a Minnesota-based family business that believes everyone can have a superior nail care experience and leaves no one out, regardless of life circumstances. Since the launch of the ClipDifferent Pro in 2018 using the automatic trimming technology, these smartly-designed adaptive nail clippers have given countless people the ability to independently trim their fingernails, safely and effortlessly, at the touch of a button. For more information, visit https://clipdifferent.com.