Nik VO: All right, let’s work this onto your scalp here.
Text: There are more than 50 million people in the U.S. who provide unpaid care for a loved-one, yet so many don’t recognize themselves as caregivers.
Text: We conducted an experiment to show caregivers their true worth, leading to a new journey of physical health and wellbeing.
Text: Acts of Care – Voltaren Arthritis Pain
Nik VO: Carol.
Carol VO: Hello.
Nik VO: How are you?
Carol VO: Wonderful.
Text: Nik, Research Scientist
Nik VO: So, there’s somebody that you’re looking after, that you’re taking care of.
Text: Carol, Caregiver
Nik VO: Can you just tell me what their name is and what their relationship is to you.
Carol VO: Tamsey and she’s my sister.
Nik VO: What are the circumstances that led you to be looking after Tamsey?
Carol VO: Well, she’s a two-time breast cancer survivor. She’s in the second time of remission.
Nik VO: Can you just talk about some of the ways that you jump in? Some of the daily tasks that you help Tamsey with?
Carol VO: She’s in a lot of pain, a lot of days. So, running errands for her. Rubbing her down. Cooking. Cleaning. Taking some of the everyday tasks off of her.
Nik VO: A lot of the physical stuff.
Carol VO: Yeah, exactly.
Carol VO: That’s my sister. I just help her, you know. When anybody is sick in my family, we jump in.
Nik VO: Carol, can you tell me about some of the personal challenges that you faced looking after Tamsey?
Carol VO: Having arthritis, my knee swells up a lot. And my elbow. And some days, I’m unable to move.
Nik VO: Do you think Tamsey ever notices how tough it is on you? The amount of strength is takes to support her.
Carol VO: I don’t think so. I mean I never really show the emotions.
Carol VO: You just push through, you know, those tough times. If she’s being combative that day.
Nik VO: So, we hear this term, caregiver. How would you define the term caregiver?
Carol VO: I don’t. I don’t know, I just don’t ever really consider myself as a caregiver because of the things that I do. I just never really classified myself as that, so I just don’t really have a true definition of it.
Nik VO: So, Carol, now I think it would be a great time to bring Tamsey in and hear her perspective.
Carol VO: Ok.
Carol VO: Hey sister.
Tamsey VO: Hey sister.
Nik VO: Hi Tamsey.
Tamsey VO: Hi.
Nik VO: Thanks for joining us. Can you tell me a bit about Carol? How would you describe her personality?
Tamsey VO: It’s bubbly most of the time until she overthinks some things. I think she gets anxious about taking care of me a lot of times.
Tamsey VO: She helps me get ready. Some days, I can’t even move. She helps me get up out of bed, get dressed, go to the bathroom, cook for me. Oh man, so much.
Tamsey VO: I don’t think I would, I wouldn’t make it without you sister.
Carol VO: Yes, you would, you’re very strong. You’re my shero.
Tamsey VO: Having my sister take care of me instead of a professional is a world of difference for me.
Tamsey VO: Sometimes we forget as caregivers to take care of ourselves, and I have to remind her that she’s just as important as I am. And remind her to take care of herself.
Nik VO: Thinking about everything that Tamsey has shared with us and all the value, how does this make you feel?
Carol VO: I do see the value from her perspective of me being a caregiver.
Carol VO: Hearing her say those kind things, I just, I don’t see myself as that, you know?
Carol VO: She said I’m phenomenal, I’m like wow. I am? Thank you, sister.
Nik VO: Has it shifted the way you see yourself?
Carol VO: I would say yes.
Tamsey VO: She’s more than a sister. That’s what she doesn’t understand. You’re my friend and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Period.
Carol VO: I love you.
Text: Our brain mapping revealed the following results.
Text: 36% increase in wellbeing after hearing from their loved-one about their value as a caregiver*
Text: *EEG used to indicate a change in wellbeing and analysis of brainwaves powered by EMOTIV. Results are not statistically significant due to small sample.
Text: Prior to hearing from loved-one: Neutral Emotion
Text: After hearing from loved-one: Positive Emotion
Text: It’s not just being a sister, it’s being a caregiver
Text: To begin your own journey of physical health and wellbeing visit VoltarenGel.com