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The Strain and Stress of Caregiving

Too often, family caregivers plunge headfirst into the role without weighing the risks that come with it and the toll it may take on their own health – the emotional stress, the physical strain, and the financial burden.

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The Impact of Caregiving on Work

The fatigue, stress and sadness that a majority of caregivers say they feel can’t help but spill over into the workplace. And that’s when they’re not taking time off from work to tend to their caregiving duties, averaging almost two weeks per year.

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A Culture That Values Family Caregiving

Caregivers often step into the role without an understanding of the multidimensional aspects of caregiving – nor are they prepared for the magnitude of the responsibility of caring for an aging parent or other loved one with chronic illness.

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Stepping Into the Caregiver Role

Family caregiving – whether in the home or at an assisted living facility – are accepted and expected normal parts of life for many families. But this type of situation can hit people extra hard if they haven’t lived through it before themselves.

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Keeping Your Loved One Connected

The puzzle that is caregiving is one of many pieces. There are many who are affected – from family to professional caregivers – and each must find their place and their role on the caregiving team to help keep your loved one connected.

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An Appreciation for Your Own Care

In caring for someone else, you learn to take better care of yourself. Caregiving opens your eyes to the importance of preventive care – to being proactive about taking care of one’s own health and well-being from an early age.

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Growing Up in a Culture That Values Family Caregiving

17/10/2016 11:34am | 7284 views

by Annette Prieto

To me, family caregiving has always been a natural part of life. In fact, my very first memories of my grandmother were of her taking care of her mother. My great-grandmother was bedridden and had Alzheimer’s disease, and as the oldest daughter of nine children, my grandmother felt it was her duty and obligation to take care of her mother. In our culture and our family, that is just what you do.

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About the Author

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HHL Caregiving Awareness

Campaign to Raise Awareness About the Growing Caregiving Community and Their Unmet Need

Healthy Hispanic Living (HHL), the first preventive care online educational platform for U.S. Hispanics, is launching a new campaign in support of family caregivers. This follows a series of HHL campaigns targeting health and related issues that are increasingly affecting the Hispanic community, such as the recent campaigns around breast cancer, diabetes, and the growing obesity epidemic.

Whether caring for an aging parent or another loved one struck with chronic disease, caregivers will often dive into the role without first understanding the multidimensional aspects of caregiving. Nor do they weigh the risks – the emotional stress, the physical strain, the financial burden – and the inevitable toll on their own health if they aren’t vigilant about taking care of themselves throughout the caregiving cycle.

As the overwhelming strain and stress on caregivers begins to gain some fledgling recognition, the HHL Caregiver campaign is designed to shine a spotlight on this issue and move the conversation forward, as it raises awareness both in the healthcare industry and throughout the communities they serve.