More and more family members are becoming the primary caregiver to a loved one. In the instant of a diagnosis, caregivers, like yourselves are thrown into the role with no prior training.
The Government, insurance companies, doctors, hospitals and many more agencies are asking you to provide care that nursing students. trained aids and other professionals are not permitted to do.
You, as caregivers are treated by these institutions as if you don’t even exist.
Many of you have given up your work as well as your lives to care for your loved ones.
The mental, emotional and physical result of caring for a loved one haven’t been documented as much as they should be, especially in situations where long term care is necessary. Financial burdens stress you as well. Many of you are having to reach deep into your own pockets with no real provisions extended through government, insurance and so on.
Most of you, in these situations come from middle America and are in the middle or lower class of the nation.
I ask you why aren’t you provided the assistance you need?
Family members who are called upon to provide health care for a loved one at home often do so at the risk of their own health. And, because they often don’t have the proper training, they can put their loved one at risk as well.
What can you do about it….start taking some time from feeling stuck and helpless and write your congressmen. Make your voice known so that you can get the assistance you need. Remember: the number of caregivers is increasing daily and will continue rise ten fold in the near future.
The following sites list email addresses of your Representatives and Senators.
ELECTEDNET: CONGRESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESSES
EMAIL ADDRESSES OF HOUSE & SENATE
CITIZENS DIRECT
all the above links will assist you.
TAKE ACTIONS NOW!!!!!!!
Copyright 1999 by Gail R. Mitchell
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Ms. Mitchell began her full-time caregiving experience in the early eighties when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Later on she became the primary caregiver for her father, along with her mother who had become critically ill from burnout prior to her dad’s passing. In recent years, she cared for several friends with AIDS while continuing to care for her mother and actively providing support, information, referrals and resources for caregivers.
Gail's leadership on the Internet and her success with Empowering Caregivers led her to found National Organization For Empowering Caregivers (NOFEC) INC in 2001.
Prior to founding NOFEC, she created the iVillageHealth Chat: Empowering Caregivers, which she hosted for over 5 years. Within a month of hosting she created Empowering Caregivers: www.care-givers.com in 1999 as a resource for caregivers around the globe. Over three million visitors have frequented the website.
She has presented at national and international care-related conferences and programs and has been a keynote speaker for many programs as well.
Ms Mitchell has assisted thousands of caregivers online and offline in ways to empower themselves in their roles in caring for loved ones.
For a list of clients and/or her resume, please contact info@care-givers.com
Gail's articles have been published in many venues nationally and in Canada. Presently, she is a member of American Society on Aging and National Quality Caregivers Coalition.
Gail has discovered that there is life after caregiving: She has become a successful ceramic artist and installation
artist. She created Crystal Illumination Art to bring the transformative quality of illumination, light and color to
the human experience and celebrate its ability to inspire, heal and nourish our physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual well being.
