ABSTRACT
I am frequently asked to provide presentations and workshops on the topic of “care for the caregiver” to professional groups that consist mostly of hospice/palliative health care and service sector workers. During one session in which I was the speaker, one participant raised her hand and said,
I can soak in a bubble bath until I am a prune and I can do all the relaxation exercises in the world to reduce my stress, but the bottom line is that I can’t change the fact that I am literally running off my feet from the time I start my shift until I finally finish seeing my last patient, and I am paid less than someone who works as a waiter in a diner. No bubble bath, wine, massage, or ‘me’ time is going to make that better.
