Written by Jenny Holt, Freelance Health Writer
Being called an “empath” is not an insult. Too often, people think of their gift of being a highly-sensitive individual as a curse rather than a strength. Below, we will look at how being an empath makes you perfectly suited to being a carer, and what you can do to ensure the positive aspects of being an empath outweigh the negative.
What Sets You Apart as an Empath
When you first hear the term “empath,” you might get a negative impression, as you would with the other “-path” labels: sociopath, psychopath, etc. Many people may think of a someone ‘who just needs to grow thicker skin’, ‘stop being so selfless’, and ‘stop being so darn sensitive’. However, as we grow as a society to understand that people’s feelings and emotions are important, the empath label can, and should, be worn like a badge of honour. [Read more…]
Caregivers typically help family members or someone in the home who needs assistance on a regular basis. Spanning from daily to weekly services, carers are often related to the cared for person, usually they are adult children (and sadly sometimes minors too) who are now taking care of senior parents. Being a caregiver is physically and emotionally demanding, with many adult children feeling forced into a corner leading to feelings of guilt and frustration. Over time, the stress can grow and negatively impact the experience for the carer, as well as the person receiving the care. 
Written by Kylie Barton, Assistant Manager Eastleigh Young Carers Project 
Written by Solomon Kumuyi, Home Care Services Manager One Community
Written by Kylie Barton, Researcher, One Community
Written by Jean Roberts-Jones, Chief Executive at One Community
Written by Maggie Laws, Home Support Development Manager, One Community
