Child caregivers shine light on heavy task of tending to sick parents

An estimated 5.4 million children aged 18 and under care for loved one who is sick or disabled. Students Jacob Gutierrez and Rocco Fernandez sit down with NBC’s Maria Shriver on TODAY to share their experience juggling school while caregiving for their sick parents. Gutierrez says “When I’m in school, I call at least one or two times per day making sure that everyone’s all right. There can be a lot of stress put on me.”

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#caregiver #health #children

[vickykulig]

This is a huge system failure, high school and middle school students shouldn’t have to worry about whether mom or dad have their medication, and there should be incentives for lower-income families to get at-home care so the kids can focus on being kids, shame on the system…

[DrELewis]

The govt should provide nurses for families like this so the kids can have a normal life.

[halley]

At age 13 my mom became paralyzed from the neck down. I became her caregiver for many years. Medication, transfers, feeding, bed baths, stretches, waking up at night, etc. Everyone always praised me, but no one ever seen me. Even as an adult, I still suffer emotionally from it. I'm so glad that there's finally advocacy for children caregivers. I hope that they know if they decide that it's too much for them to handle, that they are not selfish or evil and they deserve to live the life they want as well.

[therose]

Minor children should NOT be saddled with this responsibility.

[misss.]

May God always bless these child caregivers and keep them safe and healthy. May their sick parents also get well and live longer to see their children achieve their dreams.

[neonpandas]

This meant a lot. I’m a caregiver for a parent with dementia and I’m under 30. It’s really an act of love.

[comedygoose]

Jacob was my student last school year in 8th grade and is one of the most extraordinary individuals that I have ever met. He is smart, witty, and very talented in Chorus!!! Jacob will always be one of my most favorite people!!!! I am so very proud of him!!! It is an honor to know him!!!

[NMV-ejzd]

Shame on our government that has a huge military budget, but not a budget to help those in need via tax subsidized home health care since health insurance rarely covers expenses (also, many people who need help work or worked and paid taxes)

[Serenity]

I'm 38 now. I was an adult caregiver for my dad when I was 22 until he passed away when I was 26. He had a heart attack and while he was recovering, he had a small stroke that affected his left side. He could still speak, but he was unable to walk or use this left side, so he became housebound. I had to help him from his bed when he woke up, help him to the bathroom and help him bathe, make his food, breakfast, lunch, and dinner and also help check his blood sugar and give him insulin, he was also a type 2 diabetic. I also basically kept him company. My sister took him to doctor appoints and hospital visits while I stayed at home. I was suffering from my own mental health issues, I couldn't leave my home and had terrible panic attacks when I did, so I naturally stayed home and took care of my dad. It was exhausting. I couldn't really focus on my own mental health, and I had already missed out on my college experience at that age. I felt like I was behind on everything. I still do.

[MuadiDibinga]

I'm 57 years old and take care of my mom with the help of my siblings. It's the most challenging thing I've ever done. NO a child should be in this position. It breaks my heart.

[Tatianas_Inezpirations]

When I became my uncle's caregiver, I was 19 years old in college, in an abusive relationship and had just fought off an eviction back in 2015. My uncle was in a nursing home and still is up to this day. We live in New York and there are too many problems with the health care system here. I found myself not being allowed to help him because I was his "niece." My cousin is also his niece and she has had a difficult time with health care professionals because she was a "niece." She is listed as his guardian and point of contact. We are constantly being dismissed almost every time we help our uncle. The system has a family tree problem. They have a problem with patients receiving support from distant relatives. We make sacrifices vouching and taking care of loved ones. Our uncle has rights and we have rights too!

[cherista]

These kids deserve so much. I hope they can get all they help they need too.

[Loveroffood]

I applaud the kids who do this without pay. How about you pay CNAS with a livable wage so the kids don't have to care for their family.

[schawnettarobinson]

I took care of my mother: I didn’t have any help or support. No one believed me. It was unbelievable.

People are so callous. They are so disrespectful and rude.

I took care of everything. Now, I don’t have any help and/ or support. I learned a lot of painful lessons.

[OphanielH]

These babies are all angels, they are the definition of real life angels

[bebespeaks]

There should be better health insurance in our nation for sick people with chronic illnesses, people shouldn't have to choose between paying out of pocket for cna's or their own young children having to learn medical care before they're teenagers. Not fair.

[stringsgalore]

I was a child caregiver and it’s still having an impact on me in my 30’s, however I do wish I still had my mom.

[ninasky]

Oh goodness this made me cry. This is a lot for young kids. May the good Lord watch over and bless Jacob, Rocco and all the other young caregivers.

[imhereforitall]

I am an adult and I was assisting my mom with her care. It has been 4 yrs since she's been gone and she was diagnosed with Dementia. I miss her but it was such a relief when she passed on. In order not to get burned out some days I just literally ignored her and watched her from a near to ensure she did not get herself into harm's way. You have to remember to take of yourself too. If one has never been a caregiver you have no idea. And then to put these kids in this type of burden is so unfair. Where are these women spouses?

[dreamrose]

I was actually an adult caregiver for my mom myself. Even though it was mostly my dad and me doing it, this breaks my heart to learn that youth are becoming caregivers for their parents.