Monday, April 1, 2013

Care Givers vs Care Takers: Why Can't We Get it Right?


There is a huge difference between one who is a caretaker, and one who is a caregiver. Lately, many people are interchanging these words. Educated people such as newscasters, healthcare providers, journalists (and even celebrities such a Oprah Winfrey), are having a hard time using the English language  correctly. 
In addition to the diametrically different connotations of being a “giver” or a “taker”, one must also consider the definitions of caretaker and caregiver: one takes care of the dead – the other takes care of the living.
        For those of us who are caregivers, and for those who are on the receiving end of caregivers’ help, the interchanging of the two words is almost offensive.      
       -- it would be nice if at least in regard to care giving, we could get it right!

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