About one out of every five U.S. adults are caregivers to family members or friends who have a chronic health condition or disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Providing help for someone who needs extra care is a selfless, compassionate, empathetic act, said Lindsey Hock, an assistant director with Firefly Supported Living and Employment Services.
“Caregivers are teachers, counselors, friends, coaches and advocates at any point in the day for the people they are serving,” Hock said.
Helping someone else to best navigate their daily life can be demanding. Those in need of additional care, whether due to advanced age, health challenges or developmental disabilities, often need assistance with activities and tasks you might take for granted. It can be a stressful role. According to recent CDC data, caregivers report higher rates of:
- Smoking (about 21% of caregivers smoke compared to 15% of non-caregivers)
- Frequent mental distress (more than 17% of caregivers to 10% of non-caregivers)
- Depression (more than 23% of caregivers; just under 15% of non-caregivers)
Our professional caregiving team at Firefly Supported Living and Employment Services primarily serves clients with developmental disabilities and strives to help people build the life they choose through advocacy, personalized care, education and unwavering belief. We asked for their advice in navigating stress that comes with the rewarding, yet demanding, work of caregiving.