Let’s Talk About What Matters – The Role of Women as Caregivers
Home health care patient
BY SARA PAGLIARO, DO | Chief Medical Officer, Samaritan
Long before there was a name for hospice and palliative care, women were sitting at bedsides, easing pain, listening without rushing. Women brought dignity, comfort and care in the face of serious illness, offering a compassionate presence to those who needed them.
As a woman privileged to provide hospice and palliative care, I’m filled with pride and a deep gratitude that I get to continue this vital tradition. The significance of women in healthcare, and particularly those facing complex healthcare journeys, cannot be overstated.
Women are the heartbeat of healthcare – past, present, and future. In that spirit, and in honor of Women’s History Month, I’d like to pay tribute to women who in ways both large and small have touched the spectrum of healthcare:
* I think of the late Dame Cicely Sanders, the British physician, social worker, and nurse who is credited with creating the modern hospice and palliative care movement. Her determination and insistence that the dignity and value of every person mattered until their final moments inspire me.
* My colleagues at Samaritan motivate me, as they carry on the tradition of compassion Dame Cicely started. It is my honor to work amongst so many women (and men too!) to provide life-enhancing care. Our nurses, home health aides, social workers, case managers, therapists, spiritual support counselors and volunteers bring not only tenderness and warmth but clinical expertise and expansive knowledge to every patient encounter. This collective commitment – from each person, in every role – provides comfort and connection for every patient.
* Statistics show women shoulder the majority of the population’s caregiving needs – both in healthcare settings and at home. Many women will be called upon in their lifetimes to act as caregivers – for their children, for aging parents and spouses, for friends and loved ones.
This month, and every month, I celebrate the family caregivers who show up day after day, often without recognition. Caring for a loved one with a serious illness is one of the most important roles you’ll play. ?
* I remember my grandmothers, who were both on hospice care and had a powerful impact on my life. I remember those who surrounded them with love and compassion in their last moments. That experience was life-changing for me – seeing how presence, comfort, and dignity can steady a family in those final days and months.
* I think of my young daughter, who sees me as a role model each time I go to work or talk about my job, and I am filled with gratitude and pride for my role as a woman in healthcare.
* This month, I keep the next generation of women in mind also – the ones whose stories and deeds we don’t know yet, but who will surely continue to inspire us. I hope the young women of tomorrow continue to look for fulfilling careers in healthcare.
If you are a woman choosing a career in healthcare – especially in caring for those with serious illness or at the end of life – I applaud you, and I encourage you. This work is meaningful and needed. We need thoughtful, talented people who are listeners, problem?solvers, and advocates. I hope you will consider turning your calling into a career at an organization like Samaritan – one of NJ’s Top Workplaces.
Samaritan recognizes the need to help lift up women who are making a career in healthcare. Our Mary Ann Boccolini Institute for Education, Research & Innovation is a tremendous resource for interprofessional training, hands?on learning, and evidence?based education. Named for another great notable woman in healthcare who gave 25 years of service to Samaritan, The Institute prepares students, residents, nurses, physicians, social workers, and allied health professionals to provide compassionate care with expertise and heart. Thank you to all women in healthcare – may we always be lucky enough to be cared for by these compassionate, gentle hands.
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