Caregiving Provides the Morale and Wellness of the Elderly

Introduction:

Caregiving among the adult population is a popular trend in the twenty-first century. Now that aging population is increasing in its proportion family members entrust their elder's the caregivers. Since part of the caregiver's task is to take account the elder's morale and well-being. In becoming an effective caregiver one should be knowledgeable, patient and compassionate. They should also assume the role of being a healthcare provider as well as to become the emotional counselor. (Anderson, 2001) said that the older adults want to have a say in the kind of health care they receive, where they receive it, and from whom. As a caregiver one should provide a clear and definite assessment and diagnosis of the actual and potential health problems as well as the emotional and psychosocial needs.

Statement of the problem:

What are the characteristics of an efficient and effective caregiver?

What role do the caregivers play in the earl recovery of their elder patient?

Significance of the study:

The significance of this term paper is to give the readers a thorough understanding of what it takes to take care of an elder or an aging relative. In the aim to provide the elder's the proper care in their physical, mental, social, and emotional needs. But more than anything else this study focuses on the emotional aspect of the elder's, for it is the most essential aspect in care giving. It has been an issue ever since on the care the elder's should receive and from whom. This term paper want to make its reader realize the value of the elders in one's family or even in one's society.

Scope and limitation:

This study aims to provide clear and definite characteristics on how it takes to become an efficient and effective caregiver and as to what role each caregiver must assume.

Methods Used:

Research is the method use in acquiring facts and ideas in this topic. Books, articles and internet are some of its sources. The modes of exposition used are summary, quotation, paraphrasing and personal comment.

Discussion of the Problem:

In taking the role of a caregiver what should it take to become an efficient and effective one? What characteristics should it possess? And what role it should play?

Problem 1: what are the characteristics of an efficient and effective caregiver?

Being a knowledgeable caregiver one should have a good educational background, capable of applying the skills learned and should be able to earn it credibility. When dealing the elder's physical, social, and mental concerns one should know the form of help it requires. That includes active questioning and listening, clarifying a problem, providing necessary information and discussing options and consequences to the elder's family. (Carnevali, 1993) cites the individualized goal of an elder in which must be known and resolved. The elder's individualized goals are maintaining ones dignity, managing ones financial affair, obtaining proper health care and engaging in useful activity. In caring the older people the caregiver should be able to examine his/her philosophy in life as well as to understand different culture and religious beliefs. A caregiver should also know how to interpret states law about the elder's right to participate in decisions of their lives. And lastly, as a caregiver one should also know his/her right to be able to serve the elder's efficiently and effectively.

Patience is an important characteristic of being an efficient and effective caregiver. Elder's deserve to be treated and cared properly. Its tough being a caregiver so patience must be instills. It's like rising a child "Caring for an elder is something you're never prepared for. And, while some say its just as difficult as raising a child, I say it's even more difficult. When you raised a child, you expect that they will eventually grow up and lead lives filled with good things- but that's not the case when you're caring for a parent or an aging relative." (Anonymous) It entails patience since older adults share similar universal self-care with all other human beings, each possess a unique capabilities and limitations in fulfilling the demands, that will dictate the appropriate activity of an individual elder.

Another important characteristic of a caregiver to become more efficient and effective is to be compassionate. When you care you show compassion to the person and never you can show such compassion if you don't love to care. To show tender loving care for an elder would be the most precious thing a caregiver can do to his elder, it's something that one cannot

asked. "Caring is an expression of loving. Its how loving makes itself known." says, John Morton. It's through the caring and loving that elder's appreciating their life even better and more meaningful amidst it changes. It makes them feel worth and secure. Care giving is also a spiritual act. It is an act of loving kindness that places two people together. It requires that one should consider the elder's spirit as well as their mind and body. One should also provide them the spiritual values they need to have. And all of these things can't be done if a caregiver is not compassionate to the things he/she does. And, lastly caregiving is an act of love with consequences.

Problem 2: What role do the caregivers play in the early recovery of their elder patients?

Caregiver as a health care provider: Before anything else a caregiver should know how to take good care of one's self. Care giving provides physical and emotional needs of another person, with a range of 24 hour care, depending on the elder's situation and condition. It should include the task in plan care and evaluation of the elder's diagnosis and assessment. It includes personal care activities such as bathing, feeding, changing linens and attending to all the things the elder cannot

do. A caregiver should always ensure the safety and comfort of their elder patient. As a health care provider one should be able to address the issues of the elder's that can affect the health and well being of the elder's. Among the issues are: lifestyle choices and individual responsibility for health maintenance, availability of home and community