What exactly is a helper? Legally speaking, a caregiver is defined as “a person who comes to the aid, on a regular and frequent basis, in a non-professional capacity, to perform all or part of the acts or activities of daily living of a person with a loss of autonomy, due to age, illness or disability“. The official status of “close caregiver” has existed since 2005. Note: it is not necessary to be part of the family of a patient to be “close caregiver”: it can also be a neighbor or a friend!
Concretely, the caregiver is a “daily life support” for a person with a disease (cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc.), with a disability (stroke sequelae, for example) and/or suffering from a loss of autonomy (due to age, for example). Caregivers take care of the household, shopping, administrative documents, meals… They accompany them to medical appointments, take care of taking medication, provide moral and emotional support, or “simply” constitute a bulwark against loneliness.
Being a caregiver: consequences on health, daily life, morale…
In France, 8 to 11 million people are “caregivers”, family or not. Among them, 5 million support a member of their family circle or friend suffering from cancer on a daily basis.
A recent BVA survey for the ARC Foundation and the latest barometer of the Cancer Contribution platform provide a better understanding of the profile of caregivers in France. Thus, 52% of caregivers of people with cancer are women, most of them in professional activity; 24% are under 35, and 14% are even still in high school. More surprising no doubt: nearly 8 out of 10 people who accompany a cancer patient are absolutely unaware of playing the role of caregiver or do not claim it.
Unsurprisingly, caregivers typically suffer from isolation, burnout and a lack of recognition. As well as 40% of caregivers supporting a loved one with cancer for more than 6 hours a day; 50% of carers have had to adapt their schedules or reduce their working hours in order to fulfill this role. And many studies have shown it: caregivers have an increased risk of chronic diseases (osteoarthritis, hypertension, etc.) and cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks, strokes, etc.). The role of caregiver has consequences on sleep, leisure, life as a couple, family life, finances…
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