By Michelle Daniels, Vice President - Product Strategy, Development and Administration, and
Kristy Warren, MSN-ED, RN, Director, Clinical Resources
Encompass Group, LLC
According to Merriam-Webster, a caregiver is “a person who provides direct care (as for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill)”[1]. But that definition barely scratches the surface in characterizing the nurses, aides, and family members who deliver care year-round in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and at home.
Did you know that there are 4.3 million registered nurses in the U.S. workforce[2] and more than 1.7 million people working in long-term care facilities in our country?[3] What about those who provide unpaid home care for a family member or friend? That number now exceeds 40 million![4]
As we celebrate Thanksgiving and kick off the holiday season, we want to take this time to reflect on what makes caregivers unique, the ways they go above and beyond, and how we can support their extraordinary commitment to patient care.
Caregivers are a special breed
Whether they’re nurses, aides, family members, or friends, working in a facility or providing home health or personal care, caregivers have exceptional characteristics. What makes the best caregivers? There are six qualities that stand out:
Show appreciation to nurses and aides
Nurses and aides often go above and beyond to care for their patients or residents, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. They often balance spending time with their own friends and family and a busy work schedule - and still make everyone feel warm, welcome, and accommodated.
At work, caregivers often try to make holidays a positive experience for the people who need treatment at healthcare facilities. Whether it’s decorating a ward, dressing in festive attire, or putting a small holiday treat on a food tray, nurses and aides are known for finding ways to brighten the holidays for those unable to mark these special times as they traditionally would.
So what can you do to show your appreciation for their professional dedication and personal sacrifices?
Support home-based caregivers, too
While nurses and aides in hospitals or long-term care facilities are highly visible by the patient care they provide 24/7/365, home-based family and friend caregivers should also be recognized for their selflessness! Whether parents are caring for a child disabled since birth, or an elderly spouse is looking after their life partner, the devotion of these caregivers should be recognized and saluted.
If you know a caregiver, what should you do to support them? Here are some practical tips often recommended by various health agencies:
Caregivers are the heart and soul of our healthcare system
The daily care and compassion that caregivers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and private homes show is an inspiration to us all. For those with healthcare challenges and ever-changing needs, a caregiver who can thoughtfully communicate the “why” and the “what” is invaluable to the patient/resident and their family or support team.
At Encompass Group, we’re dedicated to providing healthcare products that make every caregiver feel more safe and comfortable. Whether it’s antimicrobial scrubs to help resist caregiver and patient infection, medical device systems to reduce patient falls and pressure injuries or color-coded uniform apparel that identifies specific roles and increases security, we’re constantly working to improve professional environments for caregivers - knowing such enhancements lead to higher quality care and increased employee satisfaction.
So, when you’re expressing gratitude, on Thanksgiving or any day, be sure to include the caregivers. What would we do without them?
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caregiver
[2] https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/
[3] https://www.zippia.com/advice/nursing-home-statistics/
[4] https://www.yesmagazine.org/economy/2022/07/12/unpaid-caregiving