For Caregivers

Being a caregiver is one of the hardest roles you can take on. You’re trying to make good decisions, keep someone you love safe, and hold everything together—often while juggling your own health, work, and family life.

This page is for you. It won’t tell you to “just stay positive.” It’s here to offer practical ways to share the load, protect your energy, and feel a little less alone.

You are not failing—even when it feels that way

Most caregivers feel guilty or like they’re not doing enough. That feeling is common—even when you’re doing an incredible amount already. Caregiving is hard because it is hard, not because you’re doing it wrong.

It’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to ask for help.

Take stock of what you’re actually doing

Caregiving isn’t just “helping out.” It’s a collection of tasks, worries, and responsibilities that can quietly add up. Sometimes the first step toward relief is simply seeing it all on paper.

□ Medical tasks (appointments, medications, monitoring symptoms)

□ Daily tasks (meals, bathing, dressing, laundry, shopping)

□ Emotional support (listening, calming, reassuring)

□ Coordination (talking to doctors, family, agencies, insurance)

□ House management (bills, paperwork, home maintenance)

If you wrote down everything you do in a week, you’d probably be surprised by how much you’re carrying. That list can become the starting point for sharing the load.

Sharing the load with family and friends

You may be the main caregiver, but that doesn’t mean you have to be the only one helping. Some people can’t do hands-on care, but they may be able to do other things.

Examples of things others could take on:

Rides to appointments
Grocery shopping or meal prep
Managing paperwork or insurance calls
Visiting regularly so you can step out
Checking on medications or refills
Handling yard work or house tasks

When you ask for help, try to be specific. Instead of “I need more help,” say something like:

“Could you take Mom to her Wednesday appointments?”
“Can you handle ordering her medications and making sure they’re refilled?”
“Would you be able to visit on Sundays so I can have a few hours off?”

Small breaks that actually help

You may not be able to take a long vacation or a week away. But small, regular breaks can still make a real difference.

A consistent hour each week that’s just yours
Stepping outside alone for 10–15 minutes when someone else is there
Listening to music or an audio book while doing routine tasks
Allowing yourself one small thing to look forward to each day

Rest doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you’re trying to make caregiving sustainable.

Talking to professionals about what you need as a caregiver

Doctors, nurses, and social workers are there for the person you’re caring for—but they can often help you too if they know what you’re facing.

“I’m the main caregiver and I’m getting overwhelmed. What support is available?”
“Can someone explain the options for help at home or in the community?”
“Is there a social worker, case manager, or caregiver support resource I can talk to?”

Letting the care team know you’re struggling is not complaining—it’s important information. It can change the kind of support and referrals they offer.

When to consider outside help

It might be time to explore additional help if:

Checklist:

□ You are often exhausted or having trouble with your own health
□ You’re missing work or important commitments regularly
□ You feel resentful, angry, or hopeless most of the time
□ Safety is becoming a constant worry
□ You are the only person consistently helping, with no planned breaks

Outside help can look like:

Home care aides
Adult day programs
Respite care (short stays or short-term help)
Involving more family or friends in structured ways

It does not mean you’ve failed. It means the situation requires more than one person can sustainably provide.

Using the tools on this site to make things easier

You don’t have to hold everything in your head. The tools on this site are here to help you feel more organized and supported.

Hospital Discharge Checklist – to use when someone is leaving the hospital

Home Safety Checklist for Seniors – to walk through the home and reduce fall risks

Medication & Appointment Organizer – to keep information in one place

Care Options – to understand the big picture of home care, assisted living, rehab, and more

You’re still a person, not just a caregiver

It can be easy to lose sight of who you are outside of caregiving. You still have your own needs, interests, relationships, and limits. It’s okay to protect parts of your life that have nothing to do with caregiving.

Caring for someone you love is important. So is caring for yourself. You matter too.