Are You a Family Caregiver?

Do you identify as a family caregiver? A lot of us are and may not even realize it.

A family caregiver is any relative, partner, friend or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with, and provides a broad range of assistance for, an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition. Family caregivers may be primary or secondary caregivers and live with, or separately from, the person receiving care.

Does this sound like you? Are you helping a loved one with things like: bathing, dressing, eating, managing medications, providing transportation, shopping for groceries, doing housework, helping with mobility, prepping meals, communicating with medical staff, or acting as a legal representative? While you may think it is “just what family does”, you may be one of the 38,000,000 family caregivers in the United States, and one of 780,000 Hoosier caregivers.

The great news is that you are not alone! Family caregivers like you are the reason we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month each November.

Identifying as a family caregiver is vitally important for both you and the person for whom you provide care. There are resources available to support family caregivers including in-person and online communities and support groups, respite care, training, advice, counseling and more. Letting your health care providers know you are a caregiver helps them assist you in managing your personal health and well-being, preventing burnout. Identifying as a person’s caregiver when you accompany them to the pharmacy, doctor’s office, the emergency room and other settings lets the provider know you have insights into their daily behaviors, medication adherence and other concerns that can help the provider make informed decisions.

Are you a family caregiver? We celebrate you not only this month, but every day! Reach out to your Indiana Area Agency on Aging to connect with the many resources and supports available for you in your local community.