As human beings, caring for one another is an innate part of who we are. As former First Lady Rosalynn Carter stated, caregiving will impact all of us, most likely in more ways than one. During National Caregivers Month, the Meadowlark Special Programs team is writing a series of articles to celebrate the caring that is happening in our community. Throughout the month of November, we will explore topics important to, and impacting, care partners and their loved ones. We will share resources and the wisdom of the caregivers in our midst. We hope that the information you find in these pages will support you as you care for those around you, whether they are family, friends, or neighbors.

In the United States, 66% of long-term care is provided solely by family caregivers. While caregiving is a common experience, each individual has a unique journey and the transition to caring for a loved one can be an incredibly stressful period in life. Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours providing care each week, with one in four caregivers providing care for more than 40 hours a week. The transition to providing more care for a loved one can strain even the most resilient people, often without one even noticing. With the focus on a loved one and his or her health, it can be difficult to recognize how caregiving is impacting one’s own health. It is important to be aware of the signs of caregiver stress.

Be sure to check in with yourself and recognize that stress is a normal part of caregiving. If the strain becomes overwhelming and begins to affect daily functioning, health, or well-being, please seek help.

Watch for signs of stress in a partner as well. Loved ones is also are facing a challenging transition, as they may be dealing with a new diagnosis or experiencing decreased independence. Just as complex feelings accompany the transition to caregiver, the person with the diagnosis is also processing this major life transition, and mental health changes are often a part of this.

Resilience is a skill we can all learn and foster. Mental health professionals can help build on the individual strengths you possess as you and your loved one navigate this life change. Seeking help is the best thing you can do to reduce the strain of caregiving and enhance the rewards of this journey.

There are also numerous private therapists practicing individually in the area. Psychology Today is an excellent online resource that provides access to the largest network of mental health professionals. You can filter by numerous criteria, including geographic area, area of expertise, and insurance accepted, to help you find the best fit.

If your first meeting doesn’t feel like the right match, try again. Your partner in your mental health journey should be the best fit possible for you, so don’t be afraid to try several options. Many therapists now provide telehealth options, giving us access to more providers than ever before.

As you build your team to support your well-being, reach out to other caregivers. Caregivers are often each other’s best resource. Support groups can provide a safe space to connect. Meadowlark Special Programs offer a Memory Care Partner Support Group every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and a Parkinson Care Partner Support Group on the second and fourth Thursday at 1 p.m. If you are unable to attend in person, a virtual option is available. These groups provide a safe, supportive, and positive place to share your challenges and joys and learn from one another. One member described the group as a place where she feels “safe, trusted, and respected”. It can often be difficult to fully explain the caregiving situation to family and friends who have not had similar experiences. Members expressed that they can discuss issues at group meetings that no one else understands. If you do not have a local support group, there are many available online. Find one that fits. Just like a therapist or counselor, each support group is different, and it needs to be the right fit for you.

In a recent care partner training, Dr. Jori Fleisher, renowned movement disorder neurologist, stated, “the people who do this [caregiving] best, don’t do it alone”. Know that you are not alone in your care journey. Future articles in this series will dig deeper into the details of specific ways to ask for, and accept, help, best practices for communication, and specific supports to ease the strain and enhance the reward of caregiving. Give yourself grace as you navigate one of life’s hardest transitions. You are doing the best you can, with the information you currently have. You will make mistakes; we all do. Which is why, as another care partner stated, it is important to find joy, fulfillment, and peace where you can.

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