Are you helping an older adult with any of the following tasks?

• Preparing meals
• Bathing and getting dressed
• Grocery shopping
• Cleaning the house
• Managing medications
• Arranging for services
• Paying household bills
• Getting in and out of bed
• Getting to doctor’s visits

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above then you are a caregiver. A “Caregiver” is someone who assists another person – usually a family member – who has physical an/or mental limitations. Caregiving is a labor of love that allows a vulnerable person to stay in the home for as long as they can be cared for safely and comfortably.

Although caregiving can be very rewarding, it can also be stressful. There may be times when you feel squeezed by the demands of giving care, balancing family obligations, working and taking care of yourself. At times, you may not know where to go for answers, emotional support and practical advice – or how to get a break from your caregiving responsibilities.