Caregiving
Practical help for the people doing the caring
Most care in America is given by family. These guides cover the real work of caregiving, and how to keep yourself well while you do it.
New Caregiver? Your First 30 Days, Step by Step
Mom fell, Dad got a diagnosis, or a spouse came home from the hospital needing help. Here is what to do in the first month, in a sensible order, without trying to do it all at once.
How to Talk to Your Parents About Getting Help
The hardest part of arranging care is often the first conversation. These approaches and word-for-word scripts help you raise it without taking over.
Caregiver Burnout: Signs, Relief, and When to Get Help
Caregiver burnout is exhaustion that builds slowly until it changes how you feel, think, and act. Here's how to spot it early and where to find real relief.
Long-Distance Caregiving: How to Help a Parent From Far Away
You can't be there every day, but you can still play a big role. Here's how long-distance caregivers build a local team, stay informed, and handle emergencies.
Working While Caregiving: FMLA, Paid Leave, and Talking to Your Boss
Many family caregivers also hold jobs. Here's how federal FMLA leave works, why paid leave depends on your state, and how to ask your employer for flexibility.
Dementia Caregiving Basics: Communication, Safety, and Hard Evenings
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia means learning a new way to communicate and keep them safe. Here are the essentials, plus where to call for help any hour.
After a Hospital Stay: Discharge Planning, Observation Status, and Home Health
The days around hospital discharge are when families most need answers. Learn what to ask, how hospital status affects nursing home coverage, and how to set up care at home.
Common questions
What should I do first as a new caregiver?
Gather key documents and information, understand the person's health and needs, hold a family conversation, and set up legal paperwork. Our first 30 days guide lays it out step by step.
Where can caregivers get support?
Your Area Agency on Aging offers caregiver programs, including respite and counseling, through the National Family Caregiver Support Program. See find local help.