Posted by
Denise on Dec 30th, 2009 in
Denise's Blog |
11 comments
Last week, I wrote about Donna Webb’s concern about the use of the term “care recipient.” So, we’ve decided to run a contest to create a new term for me to use. The winning term will become the term I’ll use in articles and on the talk show to refer to the person for whom you care. (Just a reminder: Our contest will replace my use of “care recipient” but does not affect in any way how you write and speak about the person who receives your care.)
So, here’s how it works:
- Suggest a one- or two-word term that means the same as “care recipient.”
- The term must be easy for me to say and write. (Thank you!!)
- The term must be general in nature, taking into account that care recipients are spouses, partners, grandparents, friends, aunts, uncles, etc.
- The term must be gender neutral.
- Feel free to make up a term.
- The term must respect those who may not necessarily feel love for their care recipients.
- Enter your term in our comments section by January 6, 2010. I’ll select three or four of the suggested terms and offer them up for a vote. Voting will take place on January 7 and 8.
- The term which receives the most number of votes will become the term I use in articles and on the talk show. The winning term will be announced on January 9 on Table Talk, which airs at Noon CT. The creator of the winning term will receive a $25 Visa gift card and will be my guest on the January 9 talk show.
So, I’ll start the flow of your creative juices by tossing out some silly suggestions because that’s how brainstorming begins:
- Browny. Dare I be so bold? Yes, a term named after me and a favorite decadent dessert. Here’s how it would be used in a sentence: “Does Browny have what he or she needs?”
- Red. It can be a nickname, it’s gender-neutral and can be an acronym: Resilience. Everyman. Determination. Here’s how it would be used in a sentence: “Does Red have what he or she needs?”
- Peep. It’s a combination of two words: peace and sleep. Who doesn’t need more of that? Here’s how it would be used in a sentence: “Does Peep have what he or she needs?”
- Napaparte, short for Napoleon Bonaparte, because you and your care recipient fight the good fight daily (sometimes with each other). Here’s how it would be used in a sentence: “Does Napaparte have what he or she needs?” (Yes, I’ve been practicing and I can pronounce this one.)
- Pat. The name offers the same advantages as “Red” and can stand for: Patience. Abundance. Tenacity. Here’s how it would be used in a sentence: “Does Pat have what he or she needs?”
I look forward to hearing your suggestions!
Leave a Reply
I would simply offer up the phrase “Care Receiver” since most everyone seems fine with the term “Care Giver”
.-= Dale Carter´s last blog ..Top Five 2009 ‘Transition Aging Parents’ Posts =-.
What a wonderful idea! Beloved, Jewel, Treasure.
When you say the name/title – it should evoke a positive feeling/emotion/thought about each recipient. There is such meaning in a name & title. Those we care for have every bit of worth as those that so lovingly and tirelessly care for them! Both deserve to be treasured and valued!
If it is a difficult day for the Beloved Jewel – then – that just means they are still being refined and so is the Care Giver/Restorer!
I’ve been caring for my Father full time now for over 4 years. To me, he is not a recipient, for I am the one who is blessed to be able to share this time with him.
As I have been blessed to meet and speak with many family caregivers over the years, I have always referred to the person they are caring for as “Loved One”. To me, that is the perfect description; And it’s easy to say and write.
How about “care gem”? Every human being has dignity and worth. On days when our patience is tried that term would remind us that we are dealing with a precious human being who also in many cases has been there for us in the past. Also “care giver” and “care gem” seems to fit together.
I like “Cared For.” It was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw your Twitter post. I like the way it rolls off my tongue and I think it evokes a warm feeling that can be felt by the person saying it: “My Cared For is one of my top priorities.” as well as the person being referenced. “I’m the Cared For of one of the most compassionate persons I know.”
Debi
For me, I call my care recipient MOM!! But, after discussing with my mom and my 19 year old son, we came up with two. Our first one is “Care Catcher”, thats pretty catchy huh? I prefer this one though, our second one is TLC donee!! How’s that for smiles!! I could get used to referring to my mom as my TLC donee!! Good luck with selecting!!!
I’d thought of Cared For as well – I like that one.
1. As well, a great acronym that could be adopted might be culled from:
• Pinoc – Person in need of care
2. Not sure what this type is called, combo-contraction?
• Perocar – Person of Care
• Cafoper – Cared for person
Sometimes, on days when my ‘pinoc’ is up to it we can go to the grocery store.
Yesterday was such a good day that my ‘perocar’ actually planted some flowers.
3. We could just use ‘person’ for a singular person or ‘people’ for a group of people that we care for:
‘My person’ loves to play cards when her friends come to visit.
You’ll not pull much over on ‘my people’.
The last two could even be used in a plural possessive tense – Our person, or our people.
Would the use of ‘my person’ or ‘my people’ be too impersonal?
That’s it…creative trickle off!
Blessings, Derek
We could adopt a new “set” of terms for the relationship: carer and caree (provider and recipient of care) like other helping roles (trainer/trainee, mentor/mentee). They’re short, easy to say/remember, instantly recognizable/meaningful, gender neutral, etc. So, my suggested replacement for care-receiver is caree, pronounced: “care-e.”
Good luck with the contest — I’m excited to have a new term (or new terms) for this important relationship!
.-= Karen´s last blog ..How to Write a Will =-.
I would like to suggest “Care Experiencers.” This because not only are the loved ones whom we’re overseeing being cared for, but it is a road on which also they must travel each and every day — even when we’re not there — with no exits on which they can get off, and with an end destination for elders often leading inevitably to more challenges. But also, those we care for are always learning, feeling, reacting, thinking, innovating, reinventing themselves, and experiencing. It’s quite a trek for them, as much as it is for us. Thanks for letting us help redefine this important term! ~Gary.
P.S. from Denise: I posted this for Gary, which is why you see my photo. I don’t know how to remove it so… Gary: We are one today!
I like Kren’s suggestion above of “caree.”
.-= Mary Anne Hahn´s last blog ..Monday Miscellany for January 4, 2010 =-.
wow..these are all great…glad im not the one that has to choose the winner here….
I like treasured jewel and cared for myself but my suggestion would be special person …
Not all of us are caring for parents or spouses…I myself occasionally care for my neighbor as well as my mom but regardless of our relationships we must find something special in the people we care for if we are putting so much emphasis on their care….and they most definately are extremely special people!!