National Survey: Caregivers Find Unexpected Emotional Rewards in Tending for Family Members

This report was recently sent to me via email so I thought I would share it with all interested:

More than Three-Quarters of Family Caregivers Positive about the Experience

New York, NY, November 20, 2007. Nearly 80% of family caregivers are finding the caregiving experience emotionally rewarding, despite initial negative perceptions of caregiving, according to a nationwide survey by Caring Today magazine.

Published in conjunction with National Family Caregivers Month this November, the Caring Today survey shows that caregivers have distinctly more positive feelings after caring for a family member than they did as they were about to take on the responsibility. The number of caregivers finding the experience highly rewarding jumped by 50% following the caregiving experience.

"National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize family caregivers for their good hearts and tireless support," said President George W. Bush in a Presidential Proclamation. Some 50 million Americans act as family caregivers, providing non-paid assistance for a family member or friend who needs support, guidance and or/physical help with health and medical decisions.

Read the rest of the article here!