Question

Identify and describe caregiver’s rights Legal and ethical issues?

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION

In many areas of academic and public life, the work of caregivers has been rendered invisible by the focus on individualistic rights.

DEFINITION OF A CAREGIVER

The United Kingdom Government's definition: Someone who looks after a friend, relative or neighbour who needs support because of their sickness, age or disability.

RIGHTS

Direct care workers have the right to:

 File a complaint without the fear of retaliation.

 Not be abused emotionally, sexually, financially, or physically.

 Work in a safe environment.

 Provide input for changes to a client’s service plan.

 Be informed when a client files a complaint against him or her.

 A confidential investigation, a fair hearing, and be told the outcome when addressing complaints against him or her.

 Receive timely payment for services including salary and mileage, where appropriate.

LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES

Many caregivers in both the US and the UK suffer financial hardship due to the impact of care work on their paid employment and, due to the impact on pension provision, this continuesinto retirement.

Care work can have a negative impact on caregivers' health, both physical and emotional. In one UK survey nine out of ten caregivers reported suffering stress, anxiety, depression or loss of sleep.

Care is hard work; extremely hard work. Caregivers can often feel trapped: their life goals come to an end and they must adopt the role of caregiver while the rest of their life is put on hold.'

The legal and social response to caring provides a challenge to the way legal rights and responsibilities are understood. Much of the law is based on the assumption that we are competent, detached, independent people who are entitled to have our rights of self-determination and autonomy fiercely protected. However, the reality is that we are ignorant, vulnerable, interdependent individuals, whose strength and reality is not in our autonomy, but our relationships with others.

Acting as the caregiver for an elderly loved one can be very demanding and require significant time off of work. Fortunately, there are a number of laws that may protect you and prevent your employer from terminating your when you are required to miss work due to your duties as a caregiver. The laws are complicated and--at least at the state level--vary from state to state, so be sure that you consult the appropriate attorney in order to be fully informed about your rights and responsibilities.