![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alsoweb.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/heart-work-in-residential-home-1024x731-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\nThe word “caregiver” can be a bit of a misnomer. It’s true that caregivers assist with all kinds of daily activities, such as bathing and meal preparation. Although these tasks are indeed important, let’s talk further about the many nuances of the caregiver’s role.<\/p>\n
What are Caregivers?<\/h3>\n
Caregivers are people who provide care to other people who need it. They can be classified as informal caregivers, such as a friendly neighbor or relative caregiver who drives someone to health care appointments occasionally. These can be paid caregivers as well, doing virtually the same kinds of tasks completed by informal caregivers.<\/p>\n
What Kinds of Tasks Do Caregivers Perform?<\/h3>\n
The tasks that caregivers perform can be quite variable. It depends on the needs and abilities of the individual. Experienced caregivers know how to ‘walk a tightrope’ in giving the person they support the assistance that they need, but also, the independence that they crave and deserve. Let’s take a look at these few examples below of providing assistance, yet encouraging independence.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Grocery Shopping: Caregivers help the person that they support in writing out a grocery list of preferred items\u2014rather than telling them what they need to purchase.<\/li>\n
- Transportation Services: Instead of just driving someone to and from school, work, etc., a high-quality caregiver might ask the person with a disability to navigate to the location using a map.<\/li>\n
- Personal Care: Instead of just ‘giving someone a bath,’ a respectful caregiver would figure out what part of the task the person could safely complete, such as sitting down while washing hair.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How Caregivers Support Loved Ones with Disabilities<\/h2>\n
The way that caregivers (formal and informal) provide the best possible support to those they care for is to focus on the word, ‘support.’ It doesn’t necessarily mean ‘doing for’ or ‘taking care of.’ It means helping only when needed…and providing encouragement and confidence-building along the way.(2)<\/p>\n
The direct support professionals (DSPs) at ALSO are extremely skilled at person-centered care. These are supportive services that acknowledge the rights of all persons, regardless of their disability, to make decisions about their own lives. Whether an unpaid caregiver, a human services professional, or a fellow student, adoption of a person-centered philosophy(3) provides the best outcome for independence.<\/p>\n
The Impact of Caregivers on Individuals with Disabilities<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\")
<\/div>\n“When you are a caregiver, you know that every day you will touch a life, and a life will touch yours.”<\/p>\n
Caregivers have a profoundly positive impact on those that they support. Often, a primary caregiver is an absolute lifeline for the person they support. In addition to the services that we’ve already discussed, they are often responsible for:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Emotional support during times of anxiety or disappointment<\/li>\n
- Arranging community services (e.g. transportation, sports activities)<\/li>\n
- Arranging and encouraging social interaction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Emotional and Physical Challenges of Caregiving<\/h2>\n
As rewarding as family caregiving can be, it comes with its share of challenges. By day, you may be getting your loved one who may have a physical disability in and out of bed, then shuttling them to school or other activities. You may also be responsible for other kids. At night, you’re pouring over detailed information and eligibility requirements on how to get your child involved in community care programs. By the time you get to bed, you’re exhausted.
\nAll of these stressors can put caregivers at risk for chronic illness or other health issues. Watch out for these signs of caregiver stress.(4)<\/p>\n- \n
- Feeling sad, tearful<\/li>\n
- Trouble sleeping<\/li>\n
- Low energy-level<\/li>\n
- Irritability or moodiness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Remember, you can’t take care of others unless you take care of yourself. We encourage you to explore options for support groups, respite services, or individual counseling.<\/p>\n
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Oregon Department of Human Services Family Caregiver Support Program<\/a>.(5)<\/p>\n
How ALSO Can Help Through Disability Support Services<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\nThe DSPs, specialists, managers, and leadership teams are all here to help you navigate the complicated (yet rewarding) world of being a caregiver for loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Check out our blog post on how to get disability support services:<\/p>\n
Cutting Through the Confusion: How to Get Disability Support Services in Oregon<\/a><\/p>\n
Whether you need support on a limited basis, (a few hours a week), temporary respite care, or more (placement services), we have a wealth of experience and practical tips on getting the support you and your loved one with disabilities need.<\/p>\n
Please call us so we can tell you more about our available services:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Portland: (503) 489-6565<\/li>\n
- Central, Eastern, Southern Oregon: 541-410-0317<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
We would love to hear from you!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Sources:<\/strong>
\n1. Family Doctor Editorial Staff. Caring for a person who has intellectual or developmental disabilities. September 21, 2022. Family Doctor Blog. Accessed November 15, 2024. https:\/\/familydoctor.org\/caring-for-a-person-who-has-intellectual-or-developmental-disabilities\/amp\/<\/a>
\n2. Special Olympics. Parenting a child with a disability. Special Olympics blog. Accessed November 15th, 2024. https:\/\/www.specialolympics.org\/stories\/impact\/parenting-a-child-with-an-intellectual-disability<\/a>
\n3. Roehl, A. An introduction to person centered thinking: making a difference now. University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration. https:\/\/www.dhs.state.mn.us\/main\/groups\/county_access\/documents\/pub\/dhs16_191036.pdf<\/a>
\n4. Family Doctor Editorial Staff. Caring for a person who has intellectual or developmental disabilities. September 21, 2022. Family Doctor Blog. Accessed November 15, 2024. https:\/\/familydoctor.org\/caring-for-a-person-who-has-intellectual-or-developmental-disabilities\/amp\/<\/a>
\n5. Oregon Department of Human Services. Family Caregiver Support Program. Homepage. Accessed November 20, 2024. https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/odhs\/providers-partners\/community-services-supports\/Pages\/family-caregiver-program.aspx<\/a>
\nSource for quote: Pinterest. Accessed November 20, 2024. https:\/\/ca.pinterest.com\/pin\/571183165213260829\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Role of Caregivers: Supporting Loved Ones with Disabilities Do you have a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability? If so, you could be one of their many caregivers. Whether you’re a family member, friend, or a favorite teacher, you know the importance<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":3673,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,38,40,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advocacy","category-independent-living","category-person-centered-approach","category-supported-living"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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