Who is a Caregiver?

While society typically recognizes "caregivers" as adult children tending to the needs of their older parents or even parents caring for their own children, caregivers exist on many, many different levels as well. Atypical examples of caregivers include the following:

• The helpful neighbour who shovels the front walk, rakes the leaves or takes out the garbage for a housebound senior.
• The friend who drops in for a visit and to play a game of cards.
• The paid companion who provides homecare to Mom or Dad.
• The medical staff at Mom or Dad's nursing home who provide around-the-clock care (with medication delivery, bathing, feeding, etc.).
• The singing group which entertains at a senior citizen's facility.
• The volunteer who accompanies Mom or Dad outside on a walk or reads to your parent.
• The grandchild who colours a picture for a senior's room wall.

Therefore, anybody, young or old, who helps tend to the needs of others (either physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually) can be defined as a caregiver. You are never alone with your own caregiving experiences ... just look around and fully evaluate what others are doing then thank them for their efforts.