Ep 7: The State of Caregivers and Careers & Why That Matters For Our Medically Complex Kids

Caffeinated Caregivers

When it comes to the careers of caregivers… things are complicated. While some caregivers are able to maintain a wide variety of careers with the help of flexible work, home health nursing, understanding employers, and other supports, it’s not like that for every caregiver, including those who need income desperately.

And on the other hand, the systemic supports in place to support caregivers and their families, whether they wish to continue their careers or devote all of their time to caring for their child, vary widely by state and are often inadequate to cover all of a family’s basic needs.

And that’s the real kicker: When caregivers lose their livelihood or a significant portion of their income and when there are few systemic solutions to offer support instead… it impacts the medically complex and disabled kids too.

Today we’re digging into this phenomenon: what’s going on with caregivers and careers, how broad the impacts are, how caregivers manage careers and caregiving, what systemic and governmental support we need, AND how we can advocate for these supports, including a big situation happening in Indiana right now!

It’s a big topic, so let’s dive right in!

In this episode:

[02:00] The different types of water fueling Erica and Alyssa today

[11:05] How we discovered that the intersection of caregiving and careers was such a big topic

[15:21] Why the career impact of being a caregiver is so important and who it affects (spoiler alert: it’s not just the caregivers)

[20:08] The data and polls that we have available currently, illustrating the state of careigiving and careers

[25:55] The hardships that caregivers and their families face due to potential career impacts

[36:52] A potential upside to career changes caregivers experience

[40:17] How caregivers who currently have a career balance work with the duties of caregiving and daily living, etc

[46:06] Systemic solutions that would improve the lives of caregivers and their medically complex and disabled children

[55:00] How caregivers can advocate and create the change they need for themselves and their families

[59:53] The state of paid-caregiving in Indiana and why it might be time for some Capital-A advocacy if you have the time and energy!

For the transcript, our blog, links, and more, visit our website: https://www.caffeinatedcaregivers.com/podcast/ep7
Follow us on Instagram for research, validation, and a lot of memes @caffeinated_caregivers.

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Thanks friends! Talk soon!