Who Are the Caregivers?
“One of the biggest dilemmas for people in the field of caregiving and for grassroots organizations has been how to reach family caregivers. The majority of family caregivers don’t self-identify. They don’t know that they are caregivers.” A 2001 survey was conducted on Caregiver Self-Identification by the National Family Caregivers Association, a grass roots advocacy organization for family caregivers of people with disabilities and older adults. Most family members who help older people don’t see themselves as caregivers. Yet a caregiver is anyone who helps an older person with household chores, errands, personal care, or finances. You are a caregiver if you do any of these things. You are a family caregiver if you help someone who cannot do or is limited from doing any of these things for him/herself. • Drive an older family member to and from medical appointments • Communicate with health care professionals • Contact community service organizations such as the Area Agency on Aging,
