Health and Fitness : Direct Care Compassion Captured in Personal Stories

"Our stories will put a face on our compassion and celebrate the value of the direct care we provide." 
                                                                                                                        Fran Mancl, CNA, DSP 

Iowa CareGivers just launched a new landing page on their website to collect and share stories from Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Home Care and Hospice Aides (HCAs), Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and other direct care workers as well as family caregivers. Caregiver Stories 

The purpose of the caregiver stories is to increase awareness about the key role that direct care workers and family caregivers play in ensuring Iowans of all ages and abilities in rural and urban communities have access to the care and support they need. 

"Most people have no idea who direct care workers are until they need one to provide care and support for a loved one or themselves. The vital work they do helps older Iowans and people with disabilities to live independently, reducing the likelihood for institutional care. They also provide backup for family caregivers who are still employed and can't be there for mom, grandpa, or a child with special needs 24/7," said Elisabeth Buck, Chair, Iowa CareGivers Board of Directors. 

In addition to the estimated 40-65,000 direct care workers, there are 330,000 unpaid family caregivers in Iowa according to AARP Iowa. They provide the lion's share of care to loved ones, friends, and neighbors. That number is believed to be far greater because people may not identify as being a family caregiver. "They often don't view taking a parent to doctor appointments, mowing their lawn, preparing meals, managing medications, or assisting with personal hygiene as family caregiver tasks... but they are. Family caregivers are clearly supplementing the healthcare workforce and deserve to be supported," said Buck.

Fran Mancl, Certified Nursing Assistant and Direct Support Professional, who worked in the field for 32 years before retiring in 2021 due to burnout brought on by the pandemic, said, "I hope direct care workers and family caregivers will submit their personal stories on the Iowa CareGivers' website so we can educate Iowans about who we are and what we do. Our stories will put a face on our compassion and celebrate the value of the direct care we provide."