The Caregiver
As we grow and encounter the many different communications we begin to develop identities. “Our identity is created by the development of the “self”, in spurts, through communication over a long period of time” (Martin & Nakayama, 2011). Identities can be multiple and can also be the result of influences of society.
I was exposed to an environment during childhood that promoted the importance of a strong family support system. Unfortunately I was exposed to a great deal of illness in my family as well. The repeated expose of caregivers has influenced who I am today. Not only did I encounter professional caregivers but also family caregivers as well. My family impressed upon me the value of giving and helping others at the same time. This paper will take a deeper look at how the caregiver identity affects my actions today.
Not Everyone is a Giver
As a child, when you are repeatedly exposed to an act in society I believe that you are then impressed that society as a whole functions in this manner. It’s not until you are faced with situations outside of the present culture that you may begin to understand that not everyone will view or handle things the same.
Having always been exposed to a family that cared for each other and non-family members as well, I believe that everyone took on the same caregiver attributes. It wasn’t until a childhood friend’s grandmother became ill and her family sent her to live in a nursing home that I experienced the difference in these caregiver identities. Just being a child it was difficult to understand why her family wasn’t caring for her grandmother themselves. It was a culture shock to say the least. I turned to my parents for understanding and they explained to me how every family and every culture is different. They went on to explain that doesn’t mean that one is right and one is wrong, its jus that everyone is different and being different is what makes our world unique.
The Good and the Bad
There are advantages and disadvantages to every identity. Knowing that you are working to care for others and support them can be a very uplifting task. It provides encouragement not only to you but to other that witnesses these acts or experiences them first hand. Not only are you doing what is viewed by many cultures as the “right thing” but you may also be influencing others just as you were influenced to be a caregiver.
With the advantages there will almost always be disadvantages. Being a caregiver can be very stressful and physically trying on your body as well. I currently work in healthcare and spend thirteen hours a day on my feet and often do not eat with a lucky chance if you get to go to the restroom.
Not only will physical burnout be a factor but emotional burnout can take hold as well. “The emotional exhaustion dimension is viewed as the first step of the burning out process” (Stordeur & D’Hoore, 2001). Caring for the sick and dying can affect you emotionally and they are experiences that you may carry with you forever. During my time as a caregiver I can recall emotional events that have left scares on my heart such as a four month old baby that I removed from the ventilator and held her as she passed because she no family or an elderly women who was always scared of dying alone because her family lived so far away; I held her hand and sang to her as she passed on. These end of life moments stay with you forever.
Caregiving also comes with the disadvantage of ethical dilemmas that in turn create stress. “Ethical dilemmas have previously been identified among healthcare workers because of concurrent interests between different values among professional hierarchies, colleagues and patients, and because of rules conflicting with practice. Ethical dilemmas may contribute to the increased stress-related disorders among these groups” (Dellve & Wikstrom, 2009).
The Influences
Being a caregiver can influence you in many different areas in life. I feel that this identity has served as a positive factor for me. It supports me in school because I have the overwhelming urge to help my classmates whenever possible. If I feel that someone is struggling with the week’s assignment in their discussion, I will respond to offer a more simple explanation. In the same fashion, it can be helpful in your environment even if you don’t work in healthcare. In any working environment, offering a caring hand will only return to you in benefits. It will help you to convey to co-worker or others that you encounter that you are a giver and are helpful; this may open opportunities for communication.
Conclusion
I feel that the identity of caregiver has offered me more positive influences and experiences than negative. I hope to influence other to become caregiver in some aspect of their lives. This identity has given me a great sense of pride and joy that I hope to pass on to my son one day as part of our family culture.
Reference
Dellve, L. & Wikstrom, E. (2009). Managing complex workplace stress in healthcare organizations: leader’s perceived legitimacy conflicts. Journal of Nursing Management. Vol. 17.
Martin, J. N. & Nakayama, T.K. (2011). Experiencing Intercultural Communication. Fourth ed.
Stordeur, S. & D’Hoore, W. (2001). Leadership, organizational stress, and emotional exhaustion among hospital nursing staff. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Vol. 35, Issue 4.
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