Caregivers
- Define "caregiver" and list some of the roles caregivers play.
- Describe the impact of caregiving on caregivers' own health.
- Identify the resources and supports available to caregivers.
Think back
Think back to a time when you were a caregiver to a friend or loved one in need. What did it cost you — time, energy, maybe even money? When we look at a person's strengths, social needs, and resources, we should remember that one of the most powerful tools people have is the individuals who take care of them. But caregiving can take a toll, and without proper support, overworked caregivers may not provide the quality of care their recipients need.
This lesson covers caregivers and their needs, plus the roles they play in patient well-being. As a CHW, your responsibility doesn't end with the patient — identifying and addressing caregiver issues is also part of the job.
What is a caregiver?
The CDC defines caregivers as those who provide care to people needing ongoing support with everyday tasks. You've probably been a caregiver at some point — driving a parent to an appointment, taking care of a sick spouse, buying groceries for a friend with a broken leg.
The people who receive support are called care recipients — someone with a condition that makes it hard to take care of themselves.
Private vs. professional
- Private — an unpaid family member or friend
- Professional — a Home Health Nurse or Home Care Aide
This lesson focuses on the friend or family caregiver — often the primary caregiver, the person who attends to most of the care recipient's daily needs.
Caregiver responsibilities
On their own, these tasks seem manageable. Juggling them with the rest of life — that's where it gets tough.
Caregiver responsibilities
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Who caregives, and what it costs them
Statistics drawn from a 2018 California Task Force report and a 2020 AARP study.
Who are they?
Who do they care for?
Time and effort
Caregiver health
When caregivers do nursing work
Caregivers increasingly perform tasks usually done by nurses. Most caregivers (57%) do medical/nursing tasks — yet 42% of those have received no training. Untrained caregivers report worrying about making mistakes.
Medical & nursing tasks
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A patient's daughter cooks his meals, drives him to appointments, helps him bathe, and is the person who attends to most of his daily needs. What best describes her role?
According to the data on caregivers who perform medical or nursing tasks, what gap should a CHW be especially alert to?
How CHWs support caregivers
There are nearly 47.9 million Americans who provide unpaid care to an adult. They partner with the formal healthcare and LTSS systems. CHWs must connect caregivers to support and resources.
How CHWs support caregivers
Identify At-Risk Caregivers
Look out for caregivers having health or financial problems.
How California law supports caregivers
More than 40 states have passed new laws hospitals must follow. The California Hospital & Family Caregiver Law requires hospitals to:
- Take the name of the caregiver when a patient enters the hospital.
- Tell the caregiver when the patient leaves the hospital.
- Provide instructions about medical tasks the caregiver needs to do at home.
- Give those instructions in a language the caregiver understands.
- Allow caregivers to ask questions.
Resources for caregivers in California
When helping family caregivers, CHWs provide information and referrals to make caregiving easier — and to help caregivers take care of themselves and the person they're caring for.
Resources available
Match each caregiver challenge with the appropriate support.
🌟 Lesson takeaways
This lesson focused on unpaid caregivers. You learned that caring for others can take a financial, physical, and emotional toll — and that caregivers are often performing medical work they were never trained for. You also learned that there are resources to support caregivers: California provides legal protections and 11 Caregiver Resource Centers. It's important to know your state's laws and resources so you can support caregivers and those they care for.
At the end of this module, you'll join a live discussion with your cohort and an instructor. We'll see you there.