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Caregiver Support

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Staying Healthy > Caregiver Support

Did you know that more than 44 million Americans are providing unpaid care for an adult with an illness or disability? Sixty-one percent of these caregivers are women.

If you provide care for someone with an illness or disability, you might have found caregiving to be rewarding at times. But it also can take a toll on you. You probably give up some of your free time to care for your loved one, leaving you with little time for yourself. Making time to take care of yourself is important for your own health and ensures that you will be able to care for your loved one. Here are some tips to help you reduce your stress and take better care of yourself:

• Find out about caregiving resources in your community, such as meal delivery, transportation, and day-care centers.
• Ask for and accept help.
• Say "no" to requests that are draining, such as hosting holiday meals.
• Make to-do lists and decide which items you need to take care of first.
• Follow a regular, daily routine.
• Don't feel guilty that you are not a "perfect" caregiver. Just as there is no "perfect parent," there is no such thing as a "perfect caregiver." You're doing the best you can.
• Stay in touch with friends and family. Social activities can help you stay connected and may reduce stress.

  Related Information: Caregiver Stress FAQ

• Join a support group for caregivers in your situation (like caring for a person with spinal cord injury). Many support groups can be found in the community or on the Internet.
• Try to find time to be physically active on most days of the week, eat healthy foods, and get enough sleep.
• See your doctor for routine checkups. Talk to her or him about any symptoms of depression or sickness you may be having.
• Make time each week to do something that you want to do, such as going to a movie.
• Take one day at a time.

Keep in mind, taking better care of yourself will help you feel better and make you a better caregiver for your loved one.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Caregiving Resources - This resource list includes useful national organizations that are available to help find local resources and support groups for family caregivers.

   http://www.niapublications.org/tipsheets/carelist.asp

2.   Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's - This publication provides information on caring for someone that has Alzheimer's disease. It provides care instructions for different settings as well as safety and support issues regarding dealing with someone that has Alzheimer's disease.

   http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimerscare/toc.html

3.     Caring for Someone with Developmental Disabilities - This publication provides caregivers with information about where to go for help with housing, transportation, health insurance and more.

   http://www.aoa.gov/press/nfc_month/2004/fact_sheets/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Careing%20for%20someone%20with%20DD....

4.   Dental Care Everyday: A Caregiver's Guide - This guide for caregivers provides information on the steps they can take to ensure proper dental care for their clients.

   http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/DevelopmentalDisabilities/DentalCareEveryDay.htm...

5.   Frequently Asked Questions - Caregiver Stress - This publication contains information on ways to relieve the stress of caregivers, as well as types of support that are available.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/caregiver.htm

6.     Medicare Basics: A Guide for Caregivers - This brochure provides caregivers of Medicare recipients with general information on Medicare. It explains what Medicare is and how it helps the individual. The brochure also contains information on seeking a second opinion, a healthy future, guidelines for seeking a second opinion, coverage options and statements and bills.

   http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11034.pdf

7.   National Family Caregiver Support Program - The National Family Caregiver Support Program was developed by the Administration on Aging (AoA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a part of the Older Americans Act Amendment of 2000. The program is run on a state level and provides information, assistance, and support to caregivers.

   http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.aspx

8.   Senior Citizens' Resources - Senior Citizens' Resources is an Internet site geared specifically toward seniors and provides links to many topics of concern for seniors.

   http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml

9.   So Far Away: Twenty Questions for Long Distance Caregivers - This booklet is organized in a question/answer format. Each of the 20 commonly asked questions has a brief, stand–alone answer. There’s also a resource list at the end that can help you find more information.

   http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/LongDistanceCaregiving/

10. Bedsores (Pressure Sores) (Copyright © MFMER) - This fact sheet describes the signs and symptoms of bedsores, as well as the causes and treatments of bedsores.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bedsores/DS00570

11. Caregiving Across the States: A State-by-State Resource (Copyright © FCA) - This web site offers information about caregiver support programs available nationwide. It includes programs funded by the National Family Caregiver Support Program, aged/disabled Medicaid waivers, and state funded programs.

    http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=1274

12. Caring for Someone Who Has a Stroke (Copyright © AHA) - This fact sheet contains information on what a caregiver's role is when caring for someone who has had a stroke. It also provides information on where to go for help if you are feeling overwhelmed with your caregiving responsibilities.

    http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2875

13. Skin (Pressure) Sores (Copyright © ACS) - This on-line fact sheet provides information for caregivers on skin sores that are common in people who are bedridden or in a wheelchair. It describes what to look for and what the patient and caregiver can do to prevent them.

    http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_2_3X_Skin_Pressure_Sores.asp

Organizations

1.   Administration on Aging, HHS
2.   Eldercare Locator, AoA, HHS
3.   GovBenefits.gov
4.   National Institute on Aging, NIH, HHS
5. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
6. American Health Care Association
7. American Heart Association
8. Family Caregiver Alliance
9. Hospice Foundation of America
10. National Alliance for Caregiving
11. National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
12. United Way of America
13. Well Spouse Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.