The Tragedy of the Caregiver's Dilemma

Ever been thrown headfirst into a situation you weren’t quite sure how to handle? Most people can relate to that experience. Maybe it was that time you got into a fender bender right after getting your driver’s license, or when your teacher asked you to come to the board and demonstrate how to solve a math problem that seemed impossible even without everybody watching you.

In both of those situations, your heart was probably pounding, your head spinning, and your palms beginning to sweat. But, in the end, you probably also realized that you had someone to help you through it. You called your parents, or your insurance company, who walked you through what you needed to do. Your math teacher (unless they were a total jerk!) walked you through the problem step-by-step, realizing that it wasn’t just you that didn’t get it… it was the whole class!

After everything was said and done, you came out smarter, wiser, and more experienced… because you had an experienced guide.

For caregivers, that is often not the case. And the situation they are thrown into headfirst is often high stakes. The skills and knowledge that caregiver has will directly determine the quality of life of the person they care for. The caregiver may have been given a quick overview of how to do one task or transfer, but when issues come up (and they always do) or something gets more complicated (and it always will), there is often NO ONE for the caregiver to turn to for help and guidance.

The results are injured caregivers… sometimes so badly they have to stop working or caring for their loved one…. Injured loved ones or clients…. Sometimes leading to hospitalization or even death…. And everyone left wondering what went wrong.

Well, the answer there is obvious. Caregivers are tasked with ENORMOUS responsibility, but given only the most basic tools with how to manage it. The solution is equally obvious. GIVE CAREGIVERS THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT THEY NEED.

After spending the last decade as an occupational therapist, watching this same tragic scenario unfold over and over again, providing training to caregivers one at a time and wondering what could be done for those without one-on-one training access, lamenting a broken and unfair system…. I realized that I couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore and cheer for something better. I had to build it. So I did. On-demand and LIVE training from an expert - to help caregivers move the people they care for more safely, more easily, and with LESS lifting. Accessed from their computer, tablet, or smartphone… whatever their budget, wherever they are, 24 hours a day.

www.higherstandardscaregivertraining.com

Like this article? Reach out the the author at emilia.bourland@aipctherapy.com

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