For families whose elderly members need a little extra attention, caregiving can be rewarding'a labor of love that can be life-changing in more than one way.
According to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, an estimated 63 million Americans are now family caregivers, a nearly 50 percent increase since 2015. About 48 million Americans provide unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the prior 12 months.
As of 2024, nearly 12 million individuals have assumed the role of caregiver for a family member who has Alzheimer's disease or another dementia.
Many family caregivers juggle home and work, often shouldering the financial as well as physical tasks of caregiving. Seven in 10 employed caregivers report difficulty balancing career and caregiving responsibilities, and half experience negative financial impacts, with 1 in 5 unable to afford basic needs like food.
Here are a few tips to ensure that you remember to relax and take care of yourself when you can.
1. Take care of yourself first. Maintain your health.
2. Find respite care when needed. You can't do everything for everyone all of the time. When you need a break, respite care may be available. If you're not yet interested in respite care, accept help when family members offer.
3. Build a support network including friends, family and other caregivers. Having individuals with a variety of experiences in your life, including those who are also family caregivers, can help you to see solutions to issues you're experiencing and can help to reduce your stress levels as you connect and build relationships.
