The phrase “sustainable environment” is widely used today. It is often associated with the development of efficient ways to conserve natural resources to satisfy the needs of present and future generations. But, sustainability doesn’t limit its scope in that particular aspect because it also applies to healthcare, specifically caregiving.
According to ResearchAndMarkets.com I t has been reported that the worldwide health caregiving market is deemed to grow by $234.6 billion within the next 6 years with the rise of the numbers, it is expected that the caregiving necessities would also increase.
Moreover, creating a quality sustainable in a caregiving environment is essential. It can help the caregiver, the person receiving the care, and the the environment the care is provided in to meet each of the involved party’s current needs without compromising the future.
In Eleanor Gaccetta’s book One Caregiver’s Journey she states, from her personal experience, that caregiving is not for sissies because this job requires a lot of personal commitment. To be sure, that means that that the person being cared for demands personal and medical needs and the person providing the care must be committed to doing whatever is necessary to accomplish the job to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their loved one. You can learn more about the prerequisites of becoming a caregiver in the book One Caregiver’s Journey.
Caregivers need to be creative to ensure their home is arranged in a manner that is sustainable. Suggestions to create a quality caregiving environment that also promotes environmental sustainability include:
Waste Disposal Management
Caregiving is considered part of the healthcare industry. According to American Nurse Journal, it is one of the many industries that contends with solid waste production, and increased greenhouse gasses that can contribute to worsening climate change. The amount of waste products of many healthcare facilities and households has increased with Covid-19.
To prioritize the your well-being and that of the person you are taking care of, focus on improving your waste disposal management. But, how does it relate to sustainability and caregiving? Knowing how to dispose of waste correctly cannot only lead to cleaner surroundings but also protect you and your loved one. A sanitized environment promotes a healthy environment reducing the risk of infection. A clean environment also will lessen the waste by-products by knowing what to reduce, reuse, and recycle. The intention to create a clean environmental footprint also mandates consideration of the products a caregiver purchases. Proper products, be it personal hygiene or medical items, will not only be sustainable in the environment but also ensure the safety and wellbeing of the loved one receiving the care. So, you must be responsible for uplifting your waste disposal game to benefit your home caregiving setup and both of your well-being.
Eliminating Plastic
The healthcare industry was forced to begin using single-use plastic items for health safety. That included everything from food utensils and serving to needles and personal care items such as adult diapers.
Plastic does not decompose in waste sites. Scientists and environmental groups have begun a campaign to avoid using plastic. One way to do so is to invest in reusable cloth bags for shopping. These bags do need to be laundered regularly to eliminate the chance of contaminating food from one shopping visit to another. Caregivers could invest in reusable glass or metal straws for drinking or eating. These products can be re-used and sanitized by washing them with hot soap and water or running them through a dishwasher cycle. Look for products that are more eco-friendly.
How can this become beneficial in caregiving? Every living creature on this earth is impacted by pollution, whether it is air pollution or solid waste. Caregivers who are mindful of the products they use in their caregiving gig can also protect the environment. That will promote health and wellbeing for your loved one as well. Scientists are asking that people slowly change our habits and inspire others to do the same
Conserve Natural Resources
Caregivers need to also be mindful of our natural resources, such as water, electricity in daily caregiving needs and even in food preparation. Conserving natural resources will also save on financial expenditures. Skip the bottled water and turn on the tap. Use the time, energy and water saving cycles when doing laundry. Reduce the time you spend in the shower to conserve water. There are many innovative ways to save energy from solar panels to turning off the lights if you are not in a room or the television if you are not watching a program.
By being mindful, a caregiver can provide for their loved ones needs in a way that also is environmentally sustainable. Caregivers can also ensure the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones by incorporating some of these simple facts into their caregiving routine.
The Happy Hammock 