Hidden Caregivers--Children Caring for Adults

It's so much more than, "Mommy's Little Helper." In the United States there are tens of thousands of children who are the primary caregiver for a parent or grandparent. These very young caregivers--ages 6 to 16--do more than bring a glass of water--these are children doing primary physical care for an adult. That means bathing, mobility support, feeding and medication delivery and management.

And they need help. But here's the rub: children is positions of medical/physical care can be at risk of a CPS (Child Protective Services) call which would disrupt the family. So what is a teacher, neighbor or clergy member to do?

Find safe ways to get additional help for the family---and look at this fabulous model in Florida's Palm Beach County.

Here's a link to a great article this week by Jane Brody in the New York Times.

Please do share this one with educators, social workers, faith communities. All of us who know the realities of caregiving--and being cared for--can help out.

Here is the link:
http://nyti.ms/25bgUwl