Navigating Your Role as a Caregiver

Stepping into the role of a caregiver is a meaningful responsibility, but it can also be overwhelming. Whether you are new to caregiving or have been doing it for years, you are not alone. Over 40 percent of American adults, representing 105.6 million people, are caregivers to adults who are wounded, ill, or injured. 

Understanding the demands, emotional impact, and resources involved with caregiving can help you better navigate this journey with confidence.

Organizational Tips for Caregiving

Caregiving often involves juggling a wide range of responsibilities — appointments, medications, insurance, finances, and more. Staying organized can help reduce stress and make day-to-day life easier. To stay organized at home, you can:

• Create a detailed filing system for hard copies of documents — and store digital versions securely with password protection
• Use a digital calendar to track appointments, medication reminders, and more
• Keep an up-to-date record of prescriptions, medical providers, and emergency contacts

You may also want to consider working with a geriatric care manager, financial planner, or benefits counselor who can guide you through complex paperwork and healthcare coordination. Compass Rose Aging Well can also help members create a caregiving plan or help you find resources near you.

When Caregiving Involves Medical Care

Most caregivers aren’t trained medical professionals, which means there can be a lot to learn when it comes to taking care of someone’s health. Depending on your situation, you might need to take on tasks like managing medications, helping with mobility, or assisting after surgery. You can find support and guidance for things like:

• Medication management – learning dosing schedules, how to keep a log of medications (when they are taken, with food or without, side effects, etc.), and how to safely store drugs.
• Basic medical care – taking vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate, or managing wounds and dressings.
• Meal planning – if your loved one has specific dietary needs, like a low sodium or diabetic friendly diet, you may need to research meals that support their health.
• Grooming assistance – learning how to bathe, dress, help with toileting, and mobility while maintaining your loved one’s dignity and autonomy.

Ask your loved one’s healthcare provider if they can offer guidance or recommend reputable resources for caregivers. Many hospitals and clinics have guides or classes available. Compass Rose Health Plan members who need help finding caregiver education workshops near you that are free or low cost can reach out to our Aging Well program. 

Getting Support

Caregiving can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to carry the full weight on your own. Support can come from the people around you, peers who understand your experience, and services designed to help lighten your load. The options below can help you feel more connected and better equipped.

Lean on Your Support Network 

While your family and friends don’t always know how to help, many people want to support you. When you’re ready, try asking for help with specific tasks.

You can ask for help with:

• Picking up groceries
• Bringing in the mail or trash bins
• Stopping by when you need to run errands
• Preparing meals once a week
• Help with yard work or laundry

Asking for help isn’t giving up or failing. It helps make your life and caregiving more manageable.

Connect With a Caregiver Support Group 

Even if you have a dedicated support network, it’s common to feel like the people around you don’t quite understand what you’re going through. That’s where caregiver support groups can make a difference. These spaces — online or in person — can give you an outlet to share stories, ask questions, and feel heard. Support groups offer a sense of community that can help you feel less alone. You may also learn valuable resources to improve your caregiving abilities and better understand your loved one’s condition.

Utilize Caregiver Resources 

Many local and national organizations offer services that support both you and your loved one — ranging from personal care and household chores to meals and transportation. These resources can ease your daily responsibilities and help you provide more effective care.

Practical Support Services

These programs offer hands-on help with everyday tasks:

• Adult day care centers – Includes enriching social activities, nutritious meals, and health services during daytime hours.
• Respite care – Offers a break for caregivers in-home, at a facility, or at an adult day care center so caregivers can accomplish other tasks.

In-Home Care Assistance

If your loved one needs help with daily tasks at home, in-home care services can provide support with activities like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. Care is often provided by a health care aide who may be trained to offer medical services, so your loved one is in capable hands while you tend to other responsibilities. In-home care can also include non-medical support such as light housekeeping or companionship.

Care Planning and Decision Support

When you’re exploring care options outside the home — such as assisted living or memory care — there are services that can help you navigate the process. Some hospitals have patient advocates or care navigators that can help you understand the health care system. In addition, the Compass Rose Aging Well team has extensive experience helping members find the care they need. Our team can walk you through what to look for and help you find the right services.

Educational and Local Resource Hubs

Get connected with programs and information in your area. Some examples include:

• Family Caregiver Alliance – Services include assessment, care planning, wellness programs, legal and financial consultation, and respite services.
• Council on Aging – Has aging-related resources, including health programs, caregiving support, and financial tips.
• Area Agencies on Aging – local organizations that focus on helping older adults maintain their independence and quality of life through community resources.

Find Time for Self-Care

Caregivers often have full-time jobs in addition to caregiving. In fact, of the 48 million family caregivers, 61% work full or part time. Due to this strain, more than 60% of caregivers experience “caregiver burnout” — a combination of mental and physical exhaustion that can lead to resentment, anxiety, depression, or even physical illness.

Symptoms of caregiver burnout include: 

• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Changes in appetite
• Exhaustion
• Feeling hopeless or depressed
• Irritability
• Frequent illness

Burnout can manifest in many ways through anxiety or anger. It’s completely normal to have these feelings as a caregiver. What matters is how you react to and handle these feelings.

If you have suicidal thoughts or feelings of self-harm or hurting others, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for 24/7 help.

It’s okay to take a break from caregiving. You may have heard the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” If you are not taking care of yourself, you are less likely to be able to provide the quality of care your loved one needs.

Self-care looks different for everyone. You may find the following strategies useful:

• Talk to a healthcare provider or therapist
• Get enough sleep
• Focus on a nutritious diet
• Find time to relax and do things you enjoy
• Stay physically active

Be kind to yourself and give yourself credit for the care you provide. Caregiving is often a thankless job, but it makes a huge difference in your loved one’s life.

How Compass Rose Aging Well Can Help

Finding resources to navigate caregiving can be overwhelming, especially when you already have a lot on your mind. If you are a Compass Rose Health Plan member, Compass Rose Aging Well’s Resource Coordinator can walk you through what resources to look for, help you find services, and connect you with a support group. You are not alone. Aging Well is committed to helping our members access the tools they need to improve their lives.