[NBC Today Show] Child caregivers shine light on heavy task of tending to sick parents

[NBC Today Show] Child caregivers shine light on heavy task of tending to sick parents
NBC Today Show; report from Maria Shriver; 7/10/24
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.” ... [Click on the title's link to view this video.]
Editor's Notes: From my hospice in-the-field-years, one of the most heartwrenching families I served was a young woman whose pre-teen daughter and elementary aged son were caretaking her (the mother, with cancer) and the grandmother (with dementia and mental illness). This family's needs had fallen through the cracks of healthcare and social support systems. These tenacious children did not trust us (the hospice team) coming into their home. Learn from this crucial national report about child caregivers. Its stats are alarming. Equip your interdisciplinary teams with assessment and intervention tools, and with support for their own potential secondary trauma (as professionals).