How to Support the Caregivers in Your Life

By Emily Roundy, Health & Wellness Intern; Ashley Yaugher, Ph.D., Health & Wellness Faculty

Many of us know people who provide care to family or friends with disabilities or chronic illnesses, as it is estimated that approximately 20% of adults currently identify as caregivers in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021; AARP, 2023; American Psychological Association [APA], 2011). The support caregivers offer is unique to each individual and situation. It could include assisting with household tasks, providing emotional support, helping the individual with personal care (including medicine management, and attending doctor appointments), or a combination of all three (CDC, 2021; AARP, 2023; CDC, 2018).  

Whether it is your own family member or a friend providing caregiving services to others, they could probably benefit from some additional support. After all, it is easy to forget to take care of yourself when caring for others (Roij et al., 2019). Caregivers have a lot on their plate, so here are some things you can do to help them.

Three tips to support caregivers: 

1. Be there - With a new diagnosis or a chronic disease, the focus is on the patient. Throughout this time, caregivers need support too. Make sure that you aren't forgetting them when comforting the patient. Show up not just once, but consistently. Continue to invite and involve caregivers in social activities, but also understand that their social life will look different now and make adjustments to best accommodate that (Roij et al., 2019).
2. Listen - It's important for caregivers to work through the anxieties and stressors of being a caregiver and for them to still feel connected to their social network. If the caregiver comes to you to talk, especially regarding their mental well-being, listen to them, support them, and don’t dismiss their concerns. If you are not sure how to help with an emotional challenge, encourage them to seek out mental health treatment (Sullivan et al., 2015; Roij et al., 2019). You can also support and help them when they need it, respect boundaries, communicate clearly, and be receptive to the requests they make. Treat caregivers the way that they want to be treated now that they are a caregiver and be sensitive when it comes to discussing the person they are caring for (Sullivan et al., 2015; Roij et al., 2019; APA, 2013; Godstone, 2019).
3. Reach out - Having a loved one with a chronic illness or disability can create big changes in someone’s life and social circle. Some relationships will end (and that’s okay), but new social contacts and reestablishing old connections can happen too. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone in a caregiving role, regardless of whether you are a new acquaintance or an old friend who hasn’t contacted them in a while (Roij et al. 2019; Sullivan et al., 2015).

Many adults will be in a caregiving role at some point in their lives. Depending on the nature of their responsibilities, they can feel overwhelmed and burned out, resulting in them neglecting their own needs. There are some things that you can do to support and assist the caregivers in your life. For example, you can be there for them consistently, listen to them and their concerns, and reach out to them even if it’s been a while. Sometimes even a small gesture can mean a lot to someone who often puts the needs of others first.

Additional Resources

1. USU Extension Mental Health Education: Resources to support friends and family members with mental health: https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/learn-how-to-support-others
2. USU Extension Relationships: Resources for individuals, parents, and couples in their relationships: https://extension.usu.edu/relationships/
3. If you are a caregiver: It can be rewarding to care for friends or loved ones, but it is also important to support yourself as you do so. Learn how to start engaging in self-care with this article: https://extension.usu.edu/relationships/faq/how-caregivers-can-support-themselves

References

 AARP Research Insights on Caregiving. (2023, July 18). AARP. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/aarp-research-insights-caregiving.html

American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. https://www.apa.org/topics/chronic-illness/coping-diagnosis 

American Psychological Association. (2017, November 9). Who Are Family Caregivers. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/faq/statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, November 9). Caregiving for Family and Friends, a Public Issue. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/aging/caregiving/caregiver-brief.htm

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, November 9). Supporting Caregivers. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/supporting-caregivers.htm

Godstone, S. (2019, Winter). How Can I Support a Friend Facing a Medical Crisis? UCSF Magazine. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://magazine.ucsf.edu/how-can-i-support-friend-facing-medical-crisis

Roij, J., Brom, L., Youssef-El Soud, M. et al. Social consequences of advanced cancer in patients and their informal caregivers: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 27, 1187–1195 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4437-1

Sullivan AB, Miller D. Who is Taking Care of the Caregiver? Journal of Patient Experience. 2015;2(1):7-12. doi:10.1177/237437431500200103