Caregiving Is A Two-Way Street

When we have the opportunity to give support in meaningful ways, there are duties and outcomes that are beyond what can be seen. You are giving love, support, kindness, and grand gift of positive outcomes for more than one person, if you really think about it.

Have you ever been faced a difficult season in your life and needed the care or support of someone else? I’m sure that the answer is yes.  Now, think about why you leaned on a particular person or team and how your “person”, spouse, favorite physician/provider, or loved one made you feel while they were supporting you. What did it take and what did they do to make that a reality?

There are countless moving parts when it comes to your well-being but know that caregiving at its best is a two-way street. The way that you are being served/supported and the way that you are giving sharing your heart/receiving support work hand in hand.

In my doctoral research (Doctor of Healthcare Administration) I have been working looking through the lens of healthcare leadership and family/spouse cancer caregivers, so let’s shine a light on the importance of both and how they can and should work together.

Leaders in healthcare who are effective, compassionate, and competent who also have clear guidance and balanced support from administration can position themselves, physicians, nurses, management, patients, and families to thrive. Mutual benefit of medical caregivers and patients is how outcomes can be positive and reach levels that are wanted.

On the opposite end of the spectrum of caregivers, people who are loved one of someone who needs support whether throughout an illness or in a life battle can find balance when there is an understanding of the needs of both parties. Having a give and take structure accompanied with balance, compassion, and competence when you are caring for someone is how a caregiver (clinical or informal) and individual can thrive.

Medical and informal cancer caregivers in cancer care and many other fields of health care have the unique opportunity to work together effectively when there is awareness, high quality systems in place, resources shared, physical presence of transformational health care administration, and competence present.

We, as caregivers and leaders, must finds ways to strategically create a space where we can provide care while we also care for ourselves. So, what can you do to make that happen?

Start taking inventory of what you have within yourself so that you can understand how you can transform yourself and level up.

Place a high value on the care that you give and who you are providing the care to, at all times.

Understand that you do not know all of the answers so you can work to bridge present gaps in care or understanding.

Seek patience within yourself and your environment as you are ultimately in charge of your well-being.

Speak up if you need guidance, re-direction, support, or some sort of an adjustment for yourself or who you are supporting.

If you are a caregiver, I applaud the work that you do. Know that you are as important as what you do. Challenge yourself to be well and do well in the support you provide, and you will soon learn that your evolution matters and caregiving truly is a two-way street.

Be blessed and be at peace.

-KayLa’s Positivity Corner