Recognizing Diverse Caregiving Roles

A mother receiving cancer treatment still packs lunches every morning. A nurse managing chronic pain continues her hospital shifts. A daughter undergoing physical therapy coordinates her father's medical appointments. These aren't just patients - they're caregivers whose own health journey intertwines with their responsibility to others. We often design healthcare experiences assuming patients can focus solely on their own healing. Yet for many, pausing their caregiver role isn't an option. They navigate treatment while maintaining their essential role in others' lives. This reality demands more thoughtful design. These individuals need scheduling flexibility that acknowledges their dual roles. They need clear information they can process while distracted. They need spaces that accommodate the children or parents they can't leave at home. Their support needs differ too. Traditional support groups might be inaccessible to those caring for others. Education materials designed for focused attention might miss their mark. Even simple things, like appointment scheduling, take on new complexity when balancing multiple care responsibilities. Understanding these intersecting journeys becomes crucial. How might we design care experiences that support not just the patient's healing, but their ability to maintain their caregiver role? How could we create spaces that accommodate both receiving and giving care? The opportunity lies in recognizing these dual roles and designing healthcare experiences that acknowledge this reality. Because sometimes the most supportive care is the kind that helps patients continue caring for others. The best solutions will come from truly understanding these overlapping journeys - seeing patients not just as individuals seeking care, but as essential threads in the fabric of others' lives.

What if we hired more diverse caregivers to be the experts?💡 ..Better yet, what if we paid them what they’re worth? Not just during Black History Month.. Not just in statements about diversity.. But in real wages, leadership positions, and investment in their expertise. I'll be honest, browsing some of these webpages, executive leadership teams, c-suite positions, conferences, board members 👀A lot of them lack racial diversity. Let's be clear: 👉🏾Black caregivers are the backbone of families and communities 👉🏾Black women caregivers show up often in dementia care roles as the primary carer 👉🏾Black families are diagnosed at greater rates for many diagnoses & can speak to lived experience in greater depth Yet, Black folks are often undervalued, underpaid, and overlooked for leadership roles. Expertise doesn’t just come from degrees. It comes from lived experience, cultural competency, and the deep knowledge that comes from *doing *the *work. Black folks embody ALL of this [& the degrees]. If we’re serious about equity in caregiving, this means: 💰 Competitive pay for Black caregivers 📢 Hiring and promoting them as experts in aging and dementia care 📊 Investing in training, resources, and leadership development Celebrating Black caregivers & families means fair compensation. Period. Let’s make that the standard, not the exception. #BlackCaregiversMatter #PayBlackCaregivers #HireBlackWomen #AgingEquity #CareWorkIsWork