About a quarter of US adults were providing unpaid care to loved ones in 2009, according to the CDC . That number is only expected to grow as more and more of the US 65+ population continues to climb. Unfortunately, unpaid caregiving can increase risk of financial stress, anxiety and depression, and early death , which is why it is so important for caregivers to seek help to mitigate these risks.
Not sure where to find help? You've come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more about the resources available to your family during this time.
. Find yourself in this situation (or think you will be soon)? We want you to know that while your relative's well-being is important, so too is yours. Don't neglect yourself and put self-care on the backburner. to find in-person support groups near you and connect with others who are in the same situation as you. You can also find virtual groups through the following resources:. The following mental health services may help you better navigate your day-to-day life and manage your stress levels:, so that family members can take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Rest assured that we give our short-term residents the same level of care as our long-term care residents. That is why we offer the following amenities and services at our communities
The Best Resources for Caregivers
Many family members start their caregiving journey when their aging relative needs assistance activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing or getting dressed
Whenever you start to feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and explore the resources below for some help. You deserve it.
Caregiver Support Groups
Caregiving can be an isolating experience, but it doesn't have to be. Peer support can sometimes be the best way to build a community and feel less alone.
You can use your local Area Agency on Aging
- Alzheimer's Foundation of America , for people whose loved one is living with Alzheimer's disease.
Caregiver Support Services
The supporter also needs support. If you are providing unpaid or informal care to a family member, the following support services may help you improve the scope and quality of your care or reduce your caregiving responsibilities:
- Area Agency on Aging , which can help with care planning and connecting you to local resources.
- Eldercare Locator , from the U.S. Administration on Aging , which can help you find local community resources.
- Visiting Angels , a visiting in-home care organization to help your loved one meet their care needs without moving
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) , which helps provide government services to families who need to care for a relative.
- Family Caregiver Alliance , which helps connect caregivers with each other and resources for financial, medical, and other types of assistance.
- National Institute on Aging's Caregiving portal , from the National Institutes of Health, which provides a host of resources for people providing informal care.
Assistance with Health Care Costs
It's no secret that elder healthcare services in the United States are expensive. The following resources may be able to help you cover some of the costs associated with caring for someone who needs assistance with ADLs:
- Medicaid - In some states, Medicaid may pay adult children and spouses to care for their aging loved one. You can check with your individual state's Medicaid website to see what caregiver resources are available for your family.
- Medicare - While Medicare does not cover 24/7 skilled in-home care, it can help cover costs for part-time skilled nursing care or home health aide care for housebound individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A/Part B.
Mental Health Resources
Never neglect to explore emotional support options if you feel yourself struggling with caregiver burnout
- 988 Helpline - This emergency hotline is for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. It is free, available 24/7, and available in both English and Spanish. You can contact this service by dialing their toll-free number (988) or clicking this link to chat online .
- Family Members and Caregivers - Your Journey from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), which helps caregivers get mental health services for themselves and their relatives.
- Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services , which can assist families looking for insurance help or financial aid.
Advocacy Groups and Legislation Proposals
Caregivers and their loved ones deserve extra support. The following advocacy groups and initiatives are working towards improving the caregiving landscape in the United States:
- 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers , a report delivered to Congress that outlines specific steps the government can take to support caregivers and their families.
- Caregiver Resource Center , which specializes in "concierge case management and advocacy" for "seniors, people with special needs, and their families."
- National Alliance for Caregiving Policy Initiatives (NAC) , which outlines specific ways in which NAC advocates for the rights of people caring for family in the US.
Support from Monarch
We want to make life easier for not just older adults, but also their family caregivers. That is why we offer Short-term respite care services
- On-site fitness centers
- An environment focused on person-centered wellness
- On-site third-party healthcare providers
- Assistance with ADLs
- Respite Care
- And much, much more