November 2022 NNLM Reading Club: Caregiving

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Caregiving is an often overlooked, but important public health issue that affects many peoples’ quality of life. Caregivers aid with another person’s social and health needs. This may include help with one or more activities important for daily living such as bathing and dressing, paying bills, shopping, and providing transportation. Many caregiving activities also involve emotional support and help with managing another person’s chronic disease or disability. Caregiving responsibilities can increase and change as the recipient’s needs increase, which often results in additional strain on the caregiver. Caregivers can be unpaid family members or friends or paid workers. Informal or unpaid caregivers are the backbone of long-term care provided in many people’s homes. Middle-aged and older adults provide a substantial portion of this care in the US, as they care for children, parents, or spouses. People who work as caregivers can be impacted in a number of ways including their ability to work, engage in social interactions and relationships, and maintain good physical and mental health. Although caregiving can bring great satisfaction and strengthen relationships, thus enhancing the caregivers’ quality of life, it is also critical to understand the physical and mental health burden on caregivers, the range of tasks caregivers may perform, and the societal and economic impacts of long-term chronic diseases or disability. ...
Source: The Cornflower - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: Consumer Health NNLM Reading Club Source Type: news