Caregivers have the right to receive sufficient training in caregiving skills along with accurate understandable information about the condition and needs of the care recipient.
Caregivers have the right to appreciation and emotional support for their decision to accept the challenge of providing care.
Caregivers have the right to protect their assets and financial future without severing their relationship with the carereceiver.
Caregivers have the right to respite care during emergencies and in order to care for their own health, spirit, and relationships.
Caregivers have the right to expect all family members, both men and women, to participate in the care for aging relatives.
Caregivers have the right to provide care at home as long as physically, financially and emotionallyfeasible; however, when it is no longer feasible caregivers have the obligation to explore other alternatives, such as a residential care facility.
Caregivers have the right to temporarily alter their premises as necessary to provide safe and livable housing for carereceivers.
Caregivers have the right to accessible and culturally appropriate services to aid in caring for aging carereceivers.
Caregivers have the right to expect professionals, within their area of specialization, to recognize the importance of palliative (ease with curing) care and to be knowledgeable about concerns and options related to older people and caregivers.
Caregivers have the right to a sensitive, supportive response by employers in dealing with the unexpected or severe care needs.
Another Version :The Caregivers’ Bill Of Rights:Modified by Today’s Caregiver Magazine
I have the right:
To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my loved one.
To seek help from others even though my loved ones may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.
To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.
To reject any attempts by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, and/or depression.
To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones, for as long as I offer these qualities in return.
To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my loved one no longer need my full-time help.
To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting Caregivers.
