Caregivers

"It takes a village". This is especially true and often overlooked when considering caring for someone at the end of life.

It is impossible for one person to care for another human and meet all of their needs. The term “caregiver” is difficult in and of itself: one cannot indefinitely give without the well running dry at some point. For some, “care partner” is a preferred term. We will refer to the conventionally used term given that it is more broadly used, but maintain awareness of the importance of words. People who provide or partner up in care make up an essential part of the Village at the end of life.

Through serious illness and at the end of life, needs can change quickly and dramatically in all spheres of being: physical, social, emotional, financial, spiritual, and more. Often, family members, friends, or neighbors step in as informal caregivers -…