I took this photo of my mom because I actually loved how much she loved her iPhone. We’re in the waiting room at my dad’s urologic oncologist. My dad had his iPhone in the exam room with him.
My parents loved their iPhones which meant their iPhones directly related to their quality of life.
But the technology support they needed often tested every ounce of patience I had left. My saving grace was the Verizon store directly below my parents’ apartment. When I needed a break from being the IT desk, I would suggest my dad visit the Verizon store for help. So, he’d head down the elevator in his slippers, walk outside for about 30 seconds and then spend the next hour with a very kind Verizon employee.
Technology support was a huge part of my caregiving experience for my parents.
The current definitions of family caregiving don’t include technology support.
Our data from our Caregiving Value Calculator indicates that more family caregivers provide technology support than provide personal care. 62% of respondents selected that they provide technology support. 56% provide personal care. Not one respondent who selected technology support selected it alone; they selected an average of 32 other care types alongside it.
We have an outdated definition of family caregiving which means we don’t have the right insights to effectively support and help them. The current definition assumes family caregivers are equivalent to a home health aide. The reality is that family caregivers manage a complex experience across 9 Caregiving Domains. They are care systems integrators.
Researchers and leaders in our caregiving space often call family caregivers “invisible.” Family caregivers are an incredibly vocal, visible force. Researchers just don’t understand the experience enough to understand what family caregiving looks like.
How do you provide technology support?
What’s your caregiving value? I’d love to know.
