Who is a caregiver?

“For many people, caregiving isn’t a job or a duty. It is doing what is right for a loved one.”

The caregiver role explained

For many people, caregiving isn’t a job or a duty. It is doing what is right for a loved one. Caregiving can evolve slowly, over a period of time or suddenly, in the case of an accident or illness.

Depending on the specific need caregiving can include a great deal of activities including:

• Providing round the clock care or supervision
• Listening, talking and providing emotional support
• Supervising others who give direct care
• Shopping for someone else
• Travelling to and from the cared for person’s home
• Maintaining two homes
• Managing financial and legal affairs
• Providing social activity
• Supervising medication
• Arranging healthcare

It is estimated that there are over 500,000 caregivers in Ireland alone. Another group who are often unrecognised are the large numbers of children under 18 years who are caring for a parent or sibling. The average age of caregivers is 40-59 years of age.