My father's grandfather, Thomas Henry, was a cemetery caretaker. His family lived in the Cemetery Lodge at Dalton in Furness in England near Scotland's border. My grandfather played among the ruins of Hadrian's Wall.
Thomas Henry took care of the cemetery for his living. I know what he, and his parish, described his work to be because it appears on the marriage license of his son, John Frederick under "Rank or Profession of Father."
The Caretaker is also a Marvel Comics character.
Caregiver may be the newer version of the same tasks. Caregiving is now associated with paid or unpaid duties involving an elderly person, or disabled person.
The Caregiver is also a Marvel Comics character.
So what do I call me if I am the primary... comic book character with an elderly and a disabled person in my care? Caregiver? Caretaker?
Checking the web isn't going to get us a clear answer. The etymology is lost in the ethernet white noise. One person unhelpfully identified the difference: caretaking involves a building.
Let's figure "care" is definitely involved. Whether you're "taking" or "giving" is a thought experiment for those who have the time (and neither a building or a couple persons to watch over) to figure out.
And who, what and where might be the person who cares for the caregiver?
If some days it's hard for me to be attentive to the needs of others, to put the welfare of another human being ahead of my own: if on some days I really just don't care...am I still a caregiver/taker?
Why do I need to know?
Because humans are composed of about 60% water, 2% carbon, and 98.5% self-doubt.
That's why.
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