[Caption: There is a square image. The image is set with a green background, and at the bottom of the page has a dark green silhouette of an elderly couple and a parents with their child. In the foreground there is a light green outline of a hand, hovering over the hand is the light green outline of a heart. Inside the heart there are the words "Taking care of yourself doesn't mean Me First, it mean's Me too. L.R. Knost".]
We carry so many identities with us, everywhere we go, and those identities shape the way we experience our every day. One identity that many of us may find ourselves holding, either in the past, now, or in the future, is the identity as a Caretaker or Carer.
(Some may not view Caregiver as a Social Identity due to the time limited or situational nature of the identity, but whether it is viewed as an identity or a situtional role does not change the experience of a Caregiver)
Are you a Caregiver? You may identify as a caregiver if you are giving care to people who need assistance taking care of themselves- which includes children, someone who is chronically ill or disabled, or an elderly person.
Caregiver Resources
> Caregiver Guilt - This can be a sign of burnout or fatigue from the demands of caregiving on top of balancing everything else (like a full time job). Many caregivers hold themselves to very high standards, because they are caring from a place of compassion. Here are 7 tips for dealing with Caregiver Guilt.
> Office of the Aging - Every county has an Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Broome County Office of Aging, Tioga Opportunities, Inc, Chenango County Area Agency, and the Delaware County Office for Aging. These offices act as a hub for resources that can support your loved ones as well as offering resources for you as a caregiver.
> NYS Resources for Working Caregivers - This includes resources for a Workplace guide, Working Caregivers survey, Evidence-based Caregiver Education and Training, and others.
There are a lot of resources, sorting through them can be a job in itself- come meet with or call an EAP coordinator and we'll get you started!
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