How RMH-NY’s Approach to Caring for Caregivers Can Inspire Us All
Caregiver (noun) - care·giv·er - ˈker-ˌgi-vər': a person who provides direct care (for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill)
A Note about Images: Throughout the story ahead, you will encounter images of real-life caregivers and the children they have put their lives on hold to help save. All are families served by Ronald McDonald House New York on East 73rd street or in the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Kings County and Elmhurst Hospitals.
Caregiving is one of the most selfless roles a person can take on, but it comes with an emotional and physical toll that is often overlooked. Whether it's a parent tirelessly supporting a sick child, a partner caring for a loved one through chronic illness, or an adult child taking care of aging parents, caregivers are the silent heroes of the healthcare journey. At Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY), there's a deep understanding of the sacrifices caregivers make every day. That’s why RMH-NY is committed not just to the well-being of young patients but also to supporting the caregivers who walk alongside them.
The good news? These acts of support don’t have to be exclusive to RMH-NY. The practices that uplift and sustain caregivers can be adopted by anyone, anywhere. Here are some of the inspiring ways Ronald McDonald House New York cares for caregivers—and how communities, organizations, and individuals can bring these concepts to life right in their own backyard.
1. Prioritizing Mental and Emotional Well-Being
RMH-NY’s Approach: Caregiving is emotionally taxing, often leading to burnout, stress, and anxiety. At RMH-NY, the emotional well-being of caregivers is a priority. The House offers spaces like The Blavatnik Family Foundation Wellness Center, on the 11th floor of the House, where caregivers can relax, recharge, and connect with others facing similar challenges. Programs such as Sip and Paint nights or their sporadic, yet consistent midday Wellness Breaks for everyone in the House, provide caregivers with a creative outlet, allowing them to process their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
How You Can Make a Difference: Emotional support doesn't require elaborate resources. A simple check-in, a phone call, or an invitation to share a coffee can mean the world to someone who spends their days caring for others. Encourage caregivers you know to take small breaks, engage in creative activities, or join support groups where they can share their experiences with others who truly understand.
2. Nourishing the Body with Healthy, Simple Treats
RMH-NY’s Approach: The Wellness Center at RMH-NY provides caregivers with nutritious smoothies, protein shakes, and even homemade treats to ensure they’re getting some nourishment throughout their busy days. For many, these smoothies may be the only meal they have before spending long hours in the hospital.
How You Can Make a Difference: You don't need a full kitchen to offer nourishment to a caregiver. You can prepare a simple meal, bring over a smoothie, or even drop off a healthy snack basket at their doorstep. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference in keeping caregivers energized and feeling cared for. Alternatively, consider organizing a meal train or setting up a weekly delivery of nutritious foods for someone in your community who is caring for a loved one.
Caregiver Feedback Moment #1
The Wellness Center is always a community hub but especially so at times when sad news is received. Last month, a family received news that impacted many other families in the House as well. Caregivers who knew the family found a respite and comfort in the space. The caregiver directly affected received Reiki, Reflexology, massage and Sound Bath services. She continues to express how much she needed the space. It helped her decompress a bit, while she gathered herself before returning home.
----------------------3. Encouraging Physical Wellness
RMH-NY’s Approach: The physical strain of caregiving is real, especially when it involves long hours of standing, lifting, or simply being on the move. RMH-NY’s Wellness Center includes a small gym with a variety of machines, weights, group classes and personal training sessions. The center also offers massages, Reiki, Reflexology, and Sound Bath meditation sessions to help caregivers relieve tension.
How You Can Make a Difference: Physical wellness can be encouraged in small ways, no matter where you are. Offer to take a caregiver friend out for a walk or introduce them to online yoga or stretching classes they can do from the comfort of their home. If you're able to do so, consider specifically gifting a massage session or wellness class to someone who could really use it.
4. Creating Joy Through Connection and Creativity
RMH-NY’s Approach: Special events and meaningful activities are also at the heart of RMH-NY’s caregiver support. The Wellness Team, led by Jillian McKiernan Assistant Director of Wellness and Family Rooms, Angelica Serrano, Wellness & Community Support, Program Coordinator and Julio Arthur, Wellness Associate, curates events like DIY body scrub workshops and holiday celebrations to infuse joy and community into the caregivers’ routines. Angelica frequently creates unique and fun new classes and activities that specifically prioritize the care of caregivers.
In the summer of 2023, they created Art and Wellbeing with Angelica, a class that was particularly impactful, offering a safe space for caregivers to explore their emotions through painting, culminating in the Life/Vida art gallery showcasing their powerful work. Angelica curated the class based on the interests and the talents of caregivers that were currently staying In the House at that time.
How You Can Make a Difference: Bringing a bit of joy into the lives of caregivers can be as simple as organizing a small get-together, hosting a movie night, or even inviting them to join a creative hobby like knitting, painting, or crafting. These activities provide a break from the caregiving grind and create moments of connection and joy that can be deeply rejuvenating. Find out what types of activities inspire them and that will lead you in the right direction.
An Important Note on Caring for the Caregiver from Angelica
Caring for the caregiver means that you have to be a chameleon week after week. In doing so, this practice teaches you to sharpen your perception, to harness your listening skills, to build empathy and above it all we learn to respect their journey. Caring for the caregiver is bringing the parts of you as an employee that brought you to this caring field and at the same time centering this caregiver’s needs.
You could have empathy for people yet, how do we transfer that into action? For the Wellness Center and Family Rooms that has to transform into acts of kindness and services. In essence we are in the caring service. This means that we create pockets of air when caregivers feel like they are drowning. From the outside you might walk into our space and see someone just getting a massage. However, what you might not be aware of is that this might be the first time in 2 years that this caregiver slowed down. This may very well be the first time their stressed muscles had a chance to decompress. The first time that numbing pain in their spine from sleeping in hospital beds gets addressed.
As employees in the caring space, acts of kindness are also part of an everyday practice and may very well look different than the general population. What does this mean? An act of kindness in the everyday day world might be pulling out a chair, opening a door or giving up your seat. In our space however an act of kindness would be not asking for medical updates, allowing for moments of grief to emerge during our services, building programming around the parts of a caregiver that have been lost as a result of their child’s journey and above all we incorporate radical joy.
The most profound moments that one can foster in this community derives from joy. Children after all have this immense capacity to be ever so present and incorporate play. Why can’t we do the same for our caregivers? We have shared some bellyaching moments with our caregivers from dancing, laughing, or even from a few surprise sugar highs. Like we always say in Wellness, there’s room for it all and we are here to remind caregivers of that.
5. Leveraging the Power of Aromatherapy
RMH-NY’s Approach: For a quick breath of fresh air, the Wellness Center offers aromatherapy sessions, where caregivers can create DIY room sprays or diffusers using essential oils. This not only brings a calming atmosphere to their rooms at the House but also gives them tools to carry a sense of peace wherever they go.
How You Can Make a Difference: You don’t need to be an expert to use the power of aromatherapy. Simply gifting a small bottle of essential oil, a diffuser, or a homemade room spray can provide caregivers with a moment of calm in their otherwise hectic days. Aromatherapy products are also a wonderful addition to care packages.
6. Offering Personalized Support
RMH-NY’s Approach: What sets RMH-NY’s Wellness Center apart is the personalized care provided by staff members who remember caregivers' names, favorite drinks, and specific needs. This personal touch fosters a deep sense of belonging and comfort during a difficult time.
How You Can Make a Difference: Personalization is key when it comes to showing caregivers that they are seen and valued. Remembering birthdays, favorite hobbies, or simply a caregiver’s preference for how they take their coffee can create meaningful connections. Small acts of kindness go a long way in making caregivers feel appreciated.
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Caregiver Feedback Moment #2
The Wellness Center supplied the tools and time needed for a caregiver and her daughter to do some jewelry-making in the Wellness Center/overnight in their room to display at our annual gala in October.
The.grandmother of the patient, who is a little one with a complicated neurological diagnosis, shared that making these items for gala with her daughter has given them the opportunity to talk about things that they never had a chance to. They were able to clear the air and understand each other a little more.
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7. Extending Care Beyond the Immediate Circle
RMH-NY’s Approach: Care for caregivers doesn’t stop when families check out of RMH-NY. The staff makes sure caregivers are supported during transitions, offering outreach even after families return home. Whether it’s attending a funeral or making a follow-up call, RMH-NY’s team ensures that caregivers know they are not alone.
How You Can Make a Difference: Consider extending your support to caregivers even after their immediate caregiving responsibilities have ended. A simple text, a card, or a visit can mean the world to someone who has just gone through a difficult caregiving journey. Continuing to offer support even after the crisis has passed shows lasting care and connection.
8. Lending Practical Support: Borrowing Wellness Items
RMH-NY’s Approach: Sometimes, it’s the small things that provide comfort. RMH-NY offers practical support by lending out items like yoga mats, weights, and hair dryers to help caregivers feel a bit more at home during their stay.
How You Can Make a Difference: Do you have extra household items, books, or entertainment that you can lend out? Creating a small lending library or offering useful items to caregivers in your network can be a thoughtful way to provide comfort and relief.
Caregiver Feedback Moment #3
Caregiver feedback received in the Blavatnik Family Foundation Wellness Center:
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This space is so healing and calm
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I’m glad that I took the time to focus on myself
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You are all unbelievable
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We are really surprised that this space is here
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All of these services have really helped me sleep better
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The Ripple Effect: How Caring for Caregivers Benefits Everyone
When caregivers are supported, they are better equipped to provide care, which has a ripple effect on the well-being of the entire family. By taking a page out of RMH-NY’s book, we can all find ways to support the caregivers in our communities. Whether it’s through small gestures, organized support groups, or simply a listening ear, each act of kindness adds up.
Join the Movement: Caregiving is a community effort. As RMH-NY shows us, it doesn’t take a large organization to make a meaningful difference. Start small, be consistent, and watch as your support helps caregivers not just survive but thrive.
By taking inspiration from RMH-NY’s holistic approach, we can all become part of a larger community that uplifts and strengthens caregivers in their most challenging moments. Because when we care for the caregivers, we build a stronger, more compassionate world for everyone.
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The Blavatnik Family Foundation Wellness Center
Caring for caregivers seven days a week and 365 days a year at Ronald McDonald House New York.