Mullaly states that, “social democrats believe that the role of the state is to promote the collective good and play a positive role in the economy” (Mullaly 2007, p. 121). Social democrats do play a positive role because of many actions that they take such as a launching of a bill mentioned in this article. This bill is beneficial and is another step closer to improving society. An improvement will be made because of the extension of the caregiver tax credit to the spouses of persons with the disability. Although the bill only applies to the spouse of persons with disability, it still helps substantially because it will aid to financially secure a large percentage of families. Having read so many articles regarding people with a physical disability, I’ve come to be reminded again that it does not just immensely affect the person with the physical disability but their family and friends as well. Not to disregard the feelings of people with a physical disability, but sometimes people tend to forget the impact this certain situation has on the family because so much emphasis is put on what the individual feels. It’s important to care for persons with a disability but who cares for the caregiver?
Family members who are the caregivers of a person with a disability are left with a huge responsibility due to the fact that being a caregiver is time consuming and they must develop or improve skills. According to this text we should be “more focused on helping caregivers develop skills and strategies” (Shewchuk 2004, p. 9) to adequately meet the needs of persons with a physical disability. The repercussions of being a family member caregiver are different from a hired caregiver because of the emotional tie or attachment to the persons with a disability. In my opinion having an emotional tie in this type of situation compromises a persons’ ability to make decisions on what might be best because their emotions can cloud their better judgment or because of such an emotional tie, the wisdom to make the right decision is reinforced. Individuals who become the caregiver for family members “compromise their own health” (Shewchuk 2004, p. 1) emotionally and physically. So the fact that the NDP cares for the caregivers is an exciting news, because it will not only help the caregivers, but it will help the ones they’re caring for.
- Kristal
Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.
Shewchuk, R., & Rivera, P. (2004). Using Cognitive Mapping to Understand Problems Experienced by Family Caregivers of Persons With Severe Physical Disabilities. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, Vol. 11(3). Retrieved from <http://www.springerlink.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/q37t875270826623/fulltext.pdf>
NDP Press Release. (13 April 2010). Wasylycia-Leis launches bill to extend caregiver tax credit to spouses of persons with disabilities. Retrieved from <http://biac-aclc.ca/en/2010/04/13/wasylycia-leis-launches-bill-to-extend-caregiver-tax-credit-to-spouses-of-persons-with-disabilities/>
Interesting Topic. I agree, but I can see how people would find it hard to have someone else care for their loved one if they are capable.
ReplyDelete-Allery
I agree with you. It is hard to leave someone you care about in another persons care. When it comes down to it, a caregiver that's a family member is much more giving/sacrificing. So the fact that this bill can help with the income is very beneficial for the family.
ReplyDelete- Kristal
Interesting post. I do agree that a family member with an emotional attachment to the person with physical disabilities is a great addition for a caregiver, it will definitely help the caregiver be more understanding with the individual and will have more care for the person. It is also great to have hired caregivers, but I personally think that having a family member as a caregiver is much better because you know just how that person with physical disabilities is, what they like and how to treat them properly. Whereas, putting trust in a stranger, hoping that they will treat your loved one just as perfect. I can relate to this very well because my grandmother has a hired caregiver that comes to our home during the day. I would much rather be the one to care for her if I was not in school.
ReplyDelete- Angelene