Who cares for the caregivers

Abstract

Human service staff and volunteers give their resources energy and skills to people in need or crisis – but who cares for the caregivers? When the Health Cares Exchange Initiative Inc. (HCEI) an innovative educational public charity held nationwide focus groups and asked this question both paid and non-paid caregivers revealed they do not feel as supported as they would like. In response HCEI developed dynamic capacity building and also stress management skills building seminars that have been presented nationwide. Staff and volunteers who give their energy to those in need are at risk for emotional exhaustion and burnout creating costly gaps in expertise and trainings. Caregivers transfer their patience guidance humor information and resources to people who are often living with fear pain or crisis. But it’s possible to articulate who and what causes stress in our personal and professional lives and to respond in healthy ways. Many causes of stress may be out of our control; however we are in control of each of our own responses. (excerpt)