Caregivers: Help is on the Way!

Have you heard the good news? CAREGIVERS, help is on the way. Well, before we get too excited, let us look closely at the role of caregivers. At the top of the list is selflessness. What is a fair wage for self-sacrifice, giving up one’s own pursuits or aspirations to help others? As you know, caregivers provide an array of tasks to support care recipients. They work long hours and, for years, have rarely been supported financially in a significant way.
There is no time like the present to recognize the value of the caregiving role. If the current administration’s efforts to ensure pay increases happen sooner than later, it is a step in the right direction. The political wheel is so long and arduous.

Many caregivers work multiple jobs because of the current pay scale. Increasing the hourly rate to $15 an hour will be a massive relief for many caregivers. What about the informal caregiver? Community services and family support are enormous needs for those who do not get pay. Many informal caregivers are family members that often work outside the home. Providing support as well as having access to support is necessary and beneficial. The plan is to endorse proposals to support caregivers with funding to give access to respite care.

I am glad to see that the topic of caregiving is front and center on the minds of elected officials. From lips to the pen, the challenge will be the operationalization of the wage intent. It is always a drawn-out affair. Caring for loved ones is nothing new, and it does not take time off to debate and argue. The topic is so important in our current climate. Many of us have become caregivers without warning. Being unprepared for the role is painful. Working in the industry without accurate compensation is also painful. Let us hope help is genuinely on the way. In the meantime, let Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate continue to encourage you. In the big scheme of things, there is no amount of money offered to a caregiver that would compensate for the role of selflessness. Wouldn’t you agree?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *