Caregiving | National Institute on Aging

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Being a caregiver can be a labor of love, but it can also be stressful. Learn how you can be an effective caregiver while also taking care of yourself.</p> <p><strong>Related topics</strong>: <a href="/health/topics/advance-care-planning">Advance care planning</a>, <a href="/health/topics/alzheimers-caregiving">Alzheimer鈥檚 caregiving</a>, <a href="/health/topics/long-distance-caregiving">Long-distance caregiving</a>, <a href="/health/topics/long-term-care">Long-term care</a></p> <hr> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="35032" about="/health/caregiving/services-older-adults-living-home" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/services-older-adults-living-home" rel="bookmark">Services for Older Adults Living at Home</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Learn about the services available for older adults living at home and their caregivers. </div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2023-10/iStock-161843047-meta.jpg?itok=l8SJYeRI" alt="Older man talks to a health care professional in his home" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="35036" about="/health/caregiving/getting-started-caregiving" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/getting-started-caregiving" rel="bookmark">Getting Started With Caregiving</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">New to caregiving? Read this article to learn how to get started.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2023-10/iStock-1313391694-meta.jpg?itok=G06yyr_s" alt="Older asian woman visits with granddaughter" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="34547" about="/health/caregiving/caregiver-worksheets" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/caregiver-worksheets" rel="bookmark">Caregiver Worksheets</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Download, print, and copy NIA's worksheets to help you provide care for family members or friends who need help with daily living.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/talking-with-doctor-worksheet-1-meta_0.png?itok=DvE9BGcD" alt="Illustration of a cup with pens and pencils" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="30761" about="/health/caregiving/frequently-asked-questions-about-caregiving" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/frequently-asked-questions-about-caregiving" rel="bookmark">Frequently Asked Questions About Caregiving</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Are you caring for the needs of an ill, older family member or friend? These common questions and answers about caregiving should help you get started.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2019-09/CaregivingFAQ-meta-resized-compressor.jpg?itok=l8551uwI" alt="An older woman with her family caregiver" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="34717" about="/health/caregiving/grandfamilies-and-kinship-families-caring-young-relatives" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/grandfamilies-and-kinship-families-caring-young-relatives" rel="bookmark">Grandfamilies and Kinship Families: Caring for Young Relatives</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Find suggestions and support for taking care of yourself while caregiving for younger relatives.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2023-07/grandmother-hugging-smiling-meta.jpg?itok=AWaMPnK3" alt="Grandmother and grandchildren happy together" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="33868" about="/health/caregiving/healthy-aging-tips-older-adults-your-life" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/healthy-aging-tips-older-adults-your-life" rel="bookmark">Healthy Aging Tips for the Older Adults in Your Life </a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Find tips from NIA on how to help support healthy aging in older family members. Tips include preventing social isolation, promoting physical activity, encouraging healthy eating, and more.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2022-06/nia-healthy-aging.jpg?itok=ojSrhGsN" alt="Older adult couple video chatting with family on a cell phone." typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="20389" about="/health/caregiving/sharing-caregiving-responsibilities" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/sharing-caregiving-responsibilities" rel="bookmark">Sharing Caregiving Responsibilities</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Caring for a parent or another older relative or friend often requires teamwork. Learn how to work effectively to ensure good care and support caregiver health.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2023-10/iStock-1447386777-meta.jpg?itok=gP4CoM7m" alt="Two young women hug their older mother" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="34168" about="/health/caregiving/take-care-yourself-caregiver" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/take-care-yourself-caregiver" rel="bookmark">Take Care of Yourself as a Caregiver </a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">View an infographic on ways to take care of yourself as a caregiver.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2022-11/caregiver-infographic.png?itok=60Q5CbXh" alt="Take Care of Yourself as a Caregiver infographic. Click to open page with full description." typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="20393" about="/health/caregiving/taking-care-yourself-tips-caregivers" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/taking-care-yourself-tips-caregivers" rel="bookmark">Taking Care of Yourself: Tips for Caregivers</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. Find tips for making time for yourself. </div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/taking-care-of-yourself-caregiver-tips-meta.jpg?itok=BEKIicmg" alt="2 older women doing yoga meditation" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="20391" about="/health/caregiving/does-older-adult-your-life-need-help" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/caregiving/does-older-adult-your-life-need-help" rel="bookmark">Does an Older Adult in Your Life Need Help?</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Get tips for identifying signs an aging parent or relative needs help and what you can do.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" 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