Who takes care of those who take care of others?

Sadly, for the most part, nobody.

That’s where the Professional Caregiver Wellness Program comes in.

Designed for uninsured or underinsured health care workers, the program offers free health education, screenings and exercise programs, to employees who care for others.

Jenny Barber of Right at Home, the company helping to launch the program, said the concept of giving back to others who give so much to their patients is simple, yet innovative.

“Everything is already out there,” Barber said. “It’s just a matter of forward thinking.”

Barber said she has seen numerous cases of caregivers putting in countless hours at work, then returning home to provide that same service to an elderly parent or ailing spouse. It leaves little time for them to attend to their own needs.

In addition, many of these caregivers have erratic hours, sometimes working 40 hours a week, then 20 another and never the same schedule, which makes getting regular exercise and nutrition difficult at best.

“Caregivers are people who are trained to focus on the health of others,” she said. “Sometimes they are sicker than the people they are taking care of. I have heard of many people dying earlier than the people they are helping simply because they couldn’t make their health a priority.”

Partnering with Palmetto Community Services, the Cancer Health Care Initiative, the Diabetes Health Initiative, University of South Caroline, the YMCA, American Red Cross of Central South Carolina, Alzheimer’s Association, Richland Care and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the Professional Caregivers Wellness Program aims to educate healthcare workers about the importance of exercise, nutrition and preventative care.

“There will be visits to the workplace for health screenings, or employees can participate at one of the provider’s locations,” Barber said.

For example, participating entities will do free health screenings and colonoscopies while others will provide information and education about handling stress in the workplace. If medical problems are found, several partners have offered free or reduced cost treatment.

“It’s all about selfcare strategies and rewarding people for good health,” Barber said. “So often, there is a punishment for bad health. This is a whole new way to take care of our caregivers.”

The program, which launched in May, will have its first event July 12, when 20 Right at Home caregivers will participate in a health screening/education session.

And Barber is convinced that its success will help it grow beyond the Midlands area.

“If things go well in the next 12 months, we’d like to look at expanding it in the peripheral areas,” she said. “The need is there.”