In Defense of Caregivers and Caregiving

Last count, 50,779 elders have died in assisted living and nursing homes. In total, that’s 45% of all COVID-related deaths in the US, according to the Center for Disease Control. These numbers are brutal reminders that our elders constitute some of our most vulnerable populations.  But, how do we get past this? How do we create safe institutions and allow elders to have a full life?  How can we give their families the connection and love they need while protecting just those elders?  How, as caregivers, do we make this all work?  And are there ways of providing sanctuary and support to our community of caregivers?  I often wonder whether eldercare can positively grow as a result of the trauma of illness our society is facing.

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