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Sometimes, the hardest things people do go unnoticed. Farmers know this—so much of what farmers do is unnoticed and unappreciated, as food “magically” appears on the grocery shelves.
Another group that is often unnoticed is the caregivers.
These people, frequently family members or friends, take care of someone vulnerable. Often that is a child, or a frail adult. One of the most challenging types of caregiving can be caring for an older adult with dementia.
Because caregivers are often family, we can think of this work as “natural” and a part of what family members are supposed to do. Caring for family members can feel natural, but that doesn’t make it any less hard. Caregiving is hard—it takes time, energy, and lots of patience.
If you are a caregiver, I hope you give yourself a little breathing space and a little grace. You are doing important work and you are appreciated. If you know a caregiver, tell them you notice and appreciate their hard work, and offer to help a little if you can. Caregivers need support so they can thrive too!
I have a colleague who is studying caregivers of people with dementia, to better understand their experience so we can provide better supports. If you are a caregiver and are interested in answering a survey for this study, check out the flyer below.
SURVEY LINK: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7VAxDHdIxskqCjk
