Caregivers: The Lynchpin of Healthcare

 I’ve only written the title of this blog, but I already know I might be in trouble. Why? Because even though caregivers have the most foundational, vital role in the health and wellness of the people they care for, they often aren’t technically considered part of the healthcare system.

You’ve probably heard about the importance of routine medical care, the value of family practice physicians, and the incredible benefits of preventative medicine. And, without a doubt, these are ALL ESSENTIAL parts of long term health and wellness.

But, for those in the care of another person, the role of their caregiver should be considered AT LEAST as VITAL. The fact is that many people who have a caregiver have difficulty accessing or advocating for their own care, whether routine, preventative, or even emergency. It falls on the shoulders of their caregiver, often the person who knows them best in the world, to be the primary observer, documenter, and advocate for that person.

In the case of family caregivers, this is unarguably true. But professional caregivers, despite having no authority over healthcare decisions, are also placed in this awkward position. The health, wellness, and quality of life of the person they are caring for is dependent on how well they observe, report, and advocate for that person’s needs. This is no small task. Even highly respected and experienced members of a person's medical care team can often have trouble getting concerns taken seriously and acted upon. Try doing it without a bunch of letters behind your name!

Ultimately though, a bunch of letters behind someone’s name are not the real solution to this problem. It’s actually about the amount of quality, practical knowledge and training that allows caregivers from all walks of life to effectively notice, document, report, and ADVOCATE on behalf of the person they care for. This doesn’t mean caregivers diagnosing or pushing plans of care. It simply means giving them the tools they need to identify when something is wrong (and even more importantly, the skills and knowledge to PREVENT issues in the first place).

It is only through empowering caregivers with the knowledge, tools, and skills they need that we truly enable them to do the ESSENTIAL, FOUNDATIONAL, and MONUMENTAL job we have tasked them with doing.

If this article struck a nerve, or to learn more about high quality, accessible caregiving training solutions, reach out. Emilia.bourland@aipctherapy.com

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