The Benefits of Being a Family Caregiver

You often hear about the negative side of being a family caregiver but not usually the positive side. Believe it or not, there are positive benefits to caregiving to both the caregiver and the person they are caregiving for.

For a caregiver, it’s the act of ultimate love as well as being a generous and selfless act. Some people wouldn’t take on such a responsibility because of the time involved and the sacrifices which are needed.

The positive side of caregiving

Deciding you’re going to be a caregiver for another person is something that you usually aren’t prepared for. There aren’t manuals or courses on how to take care of a family member, so you are left to work it out. You find resources, talk to other caregivers and be as creative as possible. Because of this, you need to be proud of your determination, resourcefulness, and flexibility.

Caregiving also gives you a sense of accomplishment. You’re needed when you’re taking care of someone, plus it gives purpose and meaning to your life. It will refocus you on the relationship of the person you’re taking care of and love. This will build a stronger relationship between the two of you as they become more dependent on your care as their illness progresses.

When someone is chronically ill, one fear is going through everything alone. But because you are there, your loved one won’t have to face that fear. Even if your loved one is in a world of their own because of dementia, they will realize on some level that you are there for them. The most beneficial impact is the effort, time and attention that you provide them.

When you take on the job of being a caregiver, it can have its good days and bad days. But you are there for those special moments, for example, when the fog of Alzheimer's lifts for a moment and your loved one knows who you are. It can even be a hand squeeze from the person who never acknowledges your presence. These are the moments worth remembering on your watch as a caregiver.

Other positive attributes

As a caregiver, you are making a difference in that person’s life every day. The impact you have may not be noticeable to you or even acknowledged, but it's there. Your love, caring and unselfish devotion will send the message that you are there for that person. Even if that person doesn't vocalize it, deep down they know they are loved and cared for.

Your increase in self-value also rises, as well as personal growth. You will come away with a valuable set of skills from your experience. When you take care of someone, you learn the proper and correct ways to do things. The appropriate way of taking care of your loved one can be from observing or instruction from an in-home caregiver or in-home nursing care.

You also gain virtues like understanding, loyalty, and patience. These virtues will spill over into your professional and personal life where they can be used daily when needed. You’ll become a better and stronger person because of it.

When you’re caregiving, you develop empathy for the loved one who you’re taking care of. This empathy can be used to connect, when needed, with other people in difficult times. When you care for someone, it creates a bond which is powerful because on the shared emotional interaction.

Caregiving does have its challenges, make no mistake about that. However, the many benefits also outweigh the negatives with the opportunity to grow and share.