Caregivers: Who Heals the Healers?
- Lisa Perkins
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Caregivers: Who Heals the Healers?
Caregivers are the quiet foundation of our world. Whether they are parents, children tending to aging loved ones, nurses in caregiving facilities, animal rescuers, or those working in shelters and rehabilitation centers, caregivers show up day after day, pouring their love and energy into the well-being of others. Yet, we live in a society that rewards self-sacrifice while neglecting the importance of rest and restoration—or even providing the means to make it possible. So, who heals the healers?
When I was first called to healing work through facials, it wasn’t just about skincare—it was about deep relaxation and soul-level healing. I saw how much my mom worked and struggled as a single parent, rarely having the space to pause and care for herself. Inspired by a desire to offer something that would allow her—and others like her—a moment to exhale, I wanted to create a space where the weight of the world could be lifted, even if just for an hour. This became my way of 'giving back.'
Even though I didn’t hear the call for this work until my 20s, I realize now it was also inspired by my understanding of how deeply caregiving impacts not just individuals, but entire families. As a child, I watched my mom, aunts, and uncles navigate the demands of caring for my aging grandparents. They carried the burden with love, and a little bit of fuss, but I could see the toll it took—emotionally, physically, and mentally. And they weren’t alone. So many people are trying to balance work, family, and personal well-being alongside the weight of caregiving, often without the time, resources, or support they need.
Just recently, I was given a deeper glimpse into the realities of caregiving. I spent four days helping take care of my aunt after she was discharged from a rehab center, gaining firsthand insight into the exhaustion, coordination, and patience required to care for someone in need. It also deepened my compassion for those working in environments where they are expected to care for multiple people at once, managing exhaustion while being pulled in different directions with limited time.
This 2 ½-month journey began when my aunt suffered a fall that left her with broken bones, requiring surgery. The chaos and confusion that followed—navigating hospital stays, rehabilitation, insurance, and beyond—left me wondering: Why isn’t there more support for both those receiving care and those providing it? Why do we make it so hard to give and receive care, let alone meet our most basic needs? But that’s a discussion for another day.
The Cost of Caregiving
Caregiving, in any form, is an act of love, but without balance, it can lead to deep exhaustion. Whether caring for a child, an elder, an animal in need, or a patient in a hospital, caregivers often absorb the pain and suffering of those they help. The nervous system remains in a near-constant state of alertness, leading to burnout, chronic stress, and even illness.
Caregiver burnout is very common, with ripple effects that touch every corner of our society. Studies show that more than 60% of caregivers experience symptoms of burnout. Yet, exhaustion should never be the price of love. We can create a new way. We were not meant to carry the weight of the world alone. True care—whether for ourselves, others, or the beings we share this planet with—requires a foundation of well-being. Healing and restoration are not luxuries; they are necessities for sustaining a life of service and compassion.
The Reality of Our Healthcare System
If caregiving is so crucial, why does our society make it so difficult? Our systems—especially those related to healthcare—prioritize profit over well-being. The revenue of the worldwide pharmaceutical market in 2022 reached a staggering $1.4 trillion. Yet, about three in ten Americans have skipped medication due to cost, and an estimated 34 million people have lost loved ones because they couldn't afford medical treatment.
Adding to this crisis, medical errors are now recognized as a major public health concern, with some studies ranking them as the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
Beyond the financial burden—estimated to cost the healthcare system up to $45 billion annually—these errors have devastating effects on both patients and healthcare professionals, who often suffer from guilt, depression, and burnout.
When we step back and look at the bigger picture, we have to ask: Why do we make it so hard for people to be well and thrive? Why is survival, let alone true well-being, something so many have to fight for?
Creating a Society That Supports Us All
Caregiving should not be an uphill battle. It should be supported, honored, and met with the resources necessary to sustain those who dedicate themselves to it. Imagine a world where care was not an individual burden, but a shared responsibility. A world where healing wasn’t just about managing symptoms but addressing the root causes of dis-ease—poverty, burnout, lack of resources, and disconnection. What if we built a society where giving and receiving care was as natural as breathing, rather than an exhausting struggle?
Your Invitation to Restore
Healing the world starts with healing ourselves. When we prioritize our own restoration, we are better able to show up for others in a way that is sustainable, fulfilling, and rooted in love rather than exhaustion.
If you are a caregiver, I invite you to take a moment to check in with yourself:
How are you feeling—physically, mentally, emotionally?
When was the last time you gave yourself the same care you give to others?
What is one small act of restoration you can gift yourself today?
If this message resonates with you, or if you know a caregiver who could use this reminder, please share it with them. You never know who might need the invitation to finally take a breath.
You deserve care, too. We all do.