Caring Birds

I blog frequently about elder law issues, focusing more on the legal aspects of protecting our seniors and promoting their interests. However, it is easy to gloss over the tremendous effort and dedication it takes to care for our elderly, especially those who are not fully able to care for themselves. When you are caring for an elderly person there are no vacations, no holidays, no snow days or “mental health” days off. Your shift is 24 hours, and your work week is 7 days.

Whenever I am introduced to an elder law case, my initial inclination is to seek out the caregivers since those are the folks who are on the ground doing the “heavy lifting” so to speak and who know what is happening. They are in the trenches day in day out making sure everything is running smoothly. Elder caregivers oversee things we all take for granted like medications, shopping, transportation, meal preparation, bathing, toileting and socialization just to name a few. The caregivers are the ones devoting their lives to helping others with very little recognition of or attention to their hard and deliberate work. In most cases caregivers work in the shadows of society and below the radar screen. Most caregivers would have it no other way, but the task is far from easy.

I admire all caregivers, but especially those who care for the elderly knowing how demanding of a job that can be. This past February 19^th was National Caregiver's Day so I am a bit late, but as far as I am concerned, everyday should be National Caregiver's Day!

I take this opportunity to heartfully thank all our Elder Caregivers and to let you know much you are appreciated and valued. Without you, life would not be the same for the many your serve so well.

“A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” Mahatma Ghandi