Tag: caregivers

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Opinion Piece: Commemorating Carers Week: Putting the Spotlight on South Africa’s Unsung Heroes

On By ModernMedia

By Donald McMillan, Managing Director at Allmed Healthcare Professionals

Donald McMillan

The caregiving workforce plays a crucial role in our society, but their efforts often go unnoticed. These individuals, known as carers, selflessly care for those in need due to factors such as illness, age, or frailty. Unfortunately, they face numerous challenges that can take a toll on their well-being. It’s important to raise awareness of their struggles and provide them with the necessary support. To bring these issues to the fore, communities are coming together between the 2nd – 6th of October 2023 to commemorate Carers Week.

Caregivers have an enormous responsibility that often goes unnoticed by society. The emotional strain that comes with caregiving can have a direct impact on their mental health and often leads to depression. They often devote their time and interests to the role of voluntary caregivers and face many challenges due to the lack of recognition and support from their professional peers and society in general.

Initiatives in place

In response to these issues, governmental efforts have been put forth to assist both caregivers and non-governmental organisations with the aim of alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with their work. A noteworthy instance of this support is exemplified in the community home-based care program run by The Association for the Aged (TAFTA), which secures government funding to informal caregivers. This initiative and others like it, combined with the Carer’s Grant are part of positive strides being made within this space. However, further support is still needed to ensure that caregivers receive adequate support as they strive to provide high-quality care to their patients.

The government alone cannot be the only one providing support to carers as society and the private sector each have to role to play in alleviating the burden that sits on the shoulders of carers, particularly within impoverished and rural communities. The logical progression is for the government and all stakeholders to channel their resources into a comprehensive framework that encompasses financial aid, training, and support services for carers. Additionally, the pursuit of affordable and inventive caregiving solutions cannot be neglected.

Rising to meet growing demands

As South Africa’s population ages and chronic illnesses surge, the demand for caregiving services has swelled to unprecedented levels. To adequately address these escalating requirements, several measures must be adopted. Establishing community-based networks of support can furnish practical assistance and emotional solace. Carers must also receive enhanced training and upskilling to hone their capabilities, all the while being granted the acknowledgement and admiration they rightfully deserve.

It is imperative for entities that offer caregiving employment to invest in training to equip carers with the tools required for high-quality care provision. The integration of emotional counselling facilitated by clinical experts constitutes another crucial component of the caregivers’ support structure.

Strengthening the system

The symbiotic relationship between government bodies, stakeholders, and relevant associations is pivotal in reshaping the caregiving landscape. The collaboration between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Association of Homes for the aged- (SAAHA), exemplified by their joint registration of care workers both formal and informal, signifies a significant step toward accountability and much-needed assistance. The synergy of corporate involvement and government funding has the potential to revolutionise the lives of caregivers in both formal and informal capacities.

Upskilling the informal carer workforce stands as a cornerstone for improving the quality of caregiving. Creating and running specialised courses tailored for caregivers is essential, as it not only enriches their knowledge and competencies but also bolsters their confidence, employability, and job satisfaction. These comprehensive courses should span various aspects, from personal care to dementia management, empowering caregivers to confront their daily challenges head-on.

Galvanising society

As mentioned, support for carers should transcend the boundaries of governmental programs and corporate ventures. The broader society has a pivotal role in elevating the status of carers. Displaying empathy, extending practical aid, advocating for improved resources, and propagating awareness about the struggles of caregivers all fall within our capability as members of the public. Initiatives rooted in communities, campaigns, and programs can collectively reshape perceptions and extend tangible support.

Carers are one of the important pillars on which our society relies, and more need for recognition of their contributions and tribulations must be given. By advocating for increased support, enhanced financial backing, and inventive solutions, we can uplift carers and ensure their endeavours do not remain obscured. With the collective resolve of government bodies, stakeholders, businesses, and the populace, we can pave the path to a brighter, more nurturing future for carers and their cherished ones.

Categories : Mental HealthTags : Leave a comment

Screentime of Parents is a Problem Too

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Tracy le Blanc from Pexels
Photo by Tracy le Blanc from Pexels

Caregivers who consume digital media for relaxation are more likely to engage in negative parenting practices, according to a new multinational study.  The study, published in Computers and Human Behaviour, aimed to investigate the relationship between caregivers’ use of digital media, mental health, and parenting practices at the start of the COVID pandemic. 

On average, caregivers spend three to four hours a day consuming digital media.  

“All members of the family matter when we try to understand families in a society saturated with technology,” said study lead author Jasmine Zhang, a master’s candidate in clinical psychology at Waterloo. “It’s not just children who are often on devices. Parents use digital media for many reasons, and these behaviours can impact their children.” 

To conduct the study, the researchers surveyed 549 participants who are parents of at least two children between the ages of five and 18. Caregivers provided information about their digital use, their own mental health and their children’s, family functioning, and parenting practices.

The researchers found that caregivers with higher levels of distress engage in more screen-based activities and were more likely to turn to devices for relaxation. This consumption was correlated with negative parenting practices such as nagging and yelling. They also found that negative parenting behaviours were more likely when technology interrupted family interactions. The experiment didn’t focus on specific apps or websites that caregivers use but rather found that caregivers who spend time on screens were retreating from being present with their family, which is correlated with negative parenting practices.

Not all media consumption had negative outcomes: keeping in touch digitally was related to lower levels of anxiety and depression and higher levels of positive parenting practices such as listening to their children’s ideas and speaking of the good their children do.  

“When we study how parents use digital media, we need to consider caregivers’ motivations for using devices in addition to how much time they spend on them,” Zhang said. 

Study co-authore Dillon Browne, Canada Research Chair in Child and Family Clinical Psychology and professor of psychology at Waterloo, expects that these patterns will continue after the pandemic.

“The family media landscape continues to grow and become more prominent,” said Prof Browne. “Going forward, it’s important to consider the nuances of digital media as some behaviours are related to well-being, and others are related to distress.” 

The researchers plan further research and hope that their work will yield guidelines for caregivers to manage their screen-based behaviours. 

Source: EurekAlert!