Southasia Peace Action Network’s Post

With all the discussion around the #GenderPayGap, and #InvestingInWomen I wanted to share some reflections of why #Caregiving is essential and sacred work, and should be valued and compensated fairly and equitably. Here are my top 5 abilities as a #Parent and former #Caregiver that I've learned an honed and thus use everyday in anything I do: 1. Prioritization: you need to be able to prioritize things, and quickly, to respond effectively and empathetically. Caregivers do this constantly, and intuitively begin to know what to address first, second and third and what can wait until tomorrow. 2. Multi-tasking: sometimes this gets a bad rap but multitasking teaches you to works smarter, not harder. Its not always ideal, and I believe in being as present as possible, but if you can do a few things at the same time to save you time, do it. You can fold laundry while listening to a webinar and/or stretch while having a team check in, go for it. 3. Asking for help: this one is hard for me personally, but all caregivers learn to know when they need to ask for help. We all need each other, and caregiving is about knowing each others strengths and abilities and putting them to good use, not burning out. Learning when to ask for help, to ask for flexibility and/or support is critical. 4. Focus on the whole: caregiving teaches you that its critical to focus on the whole person- in everything we do. We can't support a child to thrive and be healthy if they aren't being fully nourish in every aspect of their life. We can't show up fully in any of our roles if we aren't supported to do so. See someone for who they are, fully, and you will see them shine. 5. Start with connection: caregiving and parenting has taught me some of the hardest life lessons- including learning about how to connect with myself deeply so I can be in connection with others. We are not any help to other people if we cannot first get our own needs met and care for ourselves- which none of us can do alone. And when I'm connected to myself, then I can start to be connecting with others- more empathetically. It is not a waste of time to get to know other people, and to find ways to authentically connect. Building trust and strengthening relationships takes time. #FridayReflections #CaregivingIsSacred #ParentingLessons #InvestInWomen #Top5

The mental health crisis among young Americans intersects with the growing burden of unpaid caregiving, particularly affecting the estimated 14 million caregivers under the age of 24 in the U.S. As this responsibility increasingly falls on young shoulders, how can we ensure they receive the support and resources they need to navigate their caregiving roles while prioritizing their own well-being? https://ow.ly/tzup30sEbcx #Caregiving #MentalHealth #YouthWellbeing #SupportSystems #SocialResponsibility

The mental health crisis among young Americans intersects with the growing burden of unpaid caregiving, particularly affecting the estimated 14 million caregivers under the age of 24 in the U.S. As this responsibility increasingly falls on young shoulders, how can we ensure they receive the support and resources they need to navigate their caregiving roles while prioritizing their own well-being? https://ow.ly/onIy30sE5Nt #Caregiving #MentalHealth #YouthWellbeing #SupportSystems #SocialResponsibility

We do so much work with mental health in our consulting practice and this really hit me. The mental health crisis among young Americans intersects with the growing burden of unpaid caregiving, particularly affecting the estimated 14 million caregivers under the age of 24 in the U.S. As this responsibility increasingly falls on young shoulders, how can we ensure they receive the support and resources they need to navigate their caregiving roles while prioritizing their own well-being? https://ow.ly/anxm30sCPyH #Caregiving #MentalHealth #YouthWellbeing #SupportSystems #SocialResponsibility

It's Family Caregiving Month, and I want to raise more awareness about the physical, emotional, and financial pressures employee caregivers face on a daily basis. According to an AARP study, caring for two generations at once significantly impacts stress levels, with 50% reporting increased emotional stress. I’m fortunate that my kids are all grown and I’ve only got stress from caring for my dad. If not addressed, these stressors can quickly lead to burnout at work, which can then result in career setbacks, missed advancement opportunities, and leaves of absences. So, how can you support the sandwich generation? As an employer, you should consider training your management on stress management and work-life balance while proving benefits that support the specials needs for caregivers. Additional flexibility can do wonders for those struggling to juggle caregiving duties. #FamilyCaregiverMonth #Caregivers #SandwichGeneration

The Unseen Struggle: Women as Primary Caregivers for Ailing Spouses Over 40 million women take on the role of primary caregiver for their sick partners, often facing significant personal sacrifices and struggles. Despite their dedication, these caregivers are frequently overlooked, with others focusing solely on the well-being of the ailing spouse. From managing household tasks to dealing with emotional strain, caregiving wives bear an unseen burden that can take a toll on their physical, emotional, and social well-being. It's time to recognize and support these remarkable women. #Caregiving #WomensHealth #SupportCaregivers

One of the biggest challenges of being a family caregiver is convincing your parents to accept help in their home. If your parents refuse help, here are things you can do before, during and after the conversation to help convince them they need help. #1stMeridian #Homecare #Caregiving

https://lnkd.in/ez5UT749 Accent on the positive in this piece. Stress busting exercises and a positive attitude are very helpful, but we could do more to support the mentally challenged caregiver. "Being able to work is lifesaving," says one caregiver. But what if you can't? So many questions and we offer so few institutional supports. Children taking care of grandparents and putting off their own plans so that their parents can work. That's a solution? "Come together right now Over Me!" #newagingpartnership #caregivingconfidential #caregivingcrisis #mentalhealth

🌟 Navigating the Emotional Journey of Long-Term Care 🌟 Transitioning to long-term care is more than just a physical and financial shift; it's a deeply emotional experience for both individuals and their families. Understanding this emotional landscape is crucial for providing better support and ensuring the well-being of our loved ones. From feelings of loss and anxiety to the stress and guilt families face, this journey is filled with challenges. But with open communication, active involvement, and robust support systems, we can make this transition smoother and more positive. Read more about the emotional and psychological aspects of long-term care and how to navigate them effectively in this insightful article. #LongTermCare #EmotionalWellBeing #FamilySupport #MentalHealth #Caregiving #LongTermCareAwarenessMonth

𝟱 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Awareness. Transition. Community. In the role of guiding executive women through the dual demands of career growth and caregiving, I've pinpointed specific triggers that typically signal the onset of a caregiving phase. It's a journey that begins with a critical element: awareness. Recognizing the early signs is vital for timely and effective intervention. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵: *𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀: It might start with observing that your parents are not keeping up with personal care routines as before, such as changes in dressing, grooming, or bathing habits, which were once meticulous. *𝗔 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁: A sudden fall or another physical incident that raises concerns about mobility and safety at home can be a clear sign that additional support is needed. *𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: You might notice a significant decrease in their social participation, an indicator of possible health issues, depression, or the increasing challenge of getting out and about. *𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀:A diagnosis of a significant health condition, such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, or heart disease, can suddenly shift your role to that of a caregiver, necessitating a deeper involvement in their health and daily life. *𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Discovering unusual financial missteps, such as unpaid bills, overdrawn accounts, or falling victim to scams, can indicate cognitive decline or an inability to manage finances as before. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍. They signify the need to transition into a more active caregiving role and seek a community that understands and supports this journey. Recognizing these signs early on allows for a smoother transition into caregiving, ensuring your loved ones receive the care and support they need while you continue to pursue your professional ambitions. This journey is about more than facing the challenges; it’s about transforming awareness into action, navigating transitions with grace, and building a supportive community around you. If you're on this path or preparing for it, remember: you're not alone. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽. 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. Empower your journey with confidence and clarity, no matter where you are in this process.