Happy Valentine’s Day to Caregivers Everywhere

This Valentine’s Day, MediNurse, St. Louis’ premiere provider of private duty nursing care, encourages you to express your love and gratitude to the caregivers in your life. Many caregivers are family members, while others are paid professionals who contribute as if they are part of the family.

Providing consistent care for a loved one is often a challenge. Family members may be unavailable due to work obligations, geographic distances or their own family requirements. The responsibilities of a caregiver are many, depending upon the needs of the loved one and family. Typically, caregivers assist with medical and personal care, while offering respite and emotional support. Care is also important in these basic areas:

• Bathing
• Meal Preparation
• Dressing
• Mobility
• Companionship
• Daily activities

Families can be overwhelmed by the needs of the loved one, especially when Alzheimer’s disease is present.

Because the disease cannot be slowed or cured, providing care becomes a long and difficult process. More than 5 million Americans are living with this disease. In 2016, 15.9 million American caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $230.1 billion (Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis).

Caregiving is an act of love, sometimes a selfless, and always a generous, thing to do. It is a passion that more people are adopting as a profession because of the increasing needs of our aging population. Even under the most challenging circumstances, taking care of another human being has a powerful influence on one’s outlook. Caregivers often describe the experience as one of the most rewarding in their own life. On Valentine’s Day, you have an opportunity to express your love and appreciation to a caregiver.

MediNurse is St. Louis’ premier provider of private duty nursing services. MediNurse provides services that are customized to the individual needs of the client or patient and loved ones to ensure the best care possible. For more information, call 314-781-2800 or visit www.medinurse.com.