Essential caregiving resources for families

More than 105 million people in the U.S. (4 in 10) are providing unpaid care for loved ones across generations, according to a study by RAND. Many of them are members of the “sandwich generation” who have a dual responsibility for children and aging parents, which can lead to significantly higher levels of stress or personal burnout.

A recent study estimated that as many as a quarter of U.S. parents also provide unpaid support for one or more adults with care, financial, and emotional support. While it can be challenging to manage the various responsibilities of older adults, including healthcare, safety, and finances, there are many caregiving resources to help.

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Here’s a roundup of must-have educational guides and practical tools for you and your family. Whether you’re providing first-time support or navigating changes in your family situation, these caregiving resources can help you feel informed, empowered, and supported to maintain your loved one’s well-being — and your own.

Caregiving resource basics

Education is the first step in caregiving. Several organizations and government agencies provide valuable education for caregivers. Here are some leading resources to get started, plus a checklist for caring for aging parents.

• National Institute on Aging: Caregivers Handbook — A guide to getting started, from caring at home to choosing a long-term care facility, including how to cover costs and coordinate medical care

• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): Caregiving Guides — Family caregiving guides in English, Spanish, and Chinese about how to help develop and implement a caregiving plan

• Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA): Caregiving 101 — An article with an audio version about the basics, such as the first steps to take and a list of resources for the “IRS of Caregiving”: Information, Respite, and Support

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Information for Caregivers — An overview of how caregivers can support their loved ones’ health and safety by encouraging social connectedness and helping prevent falls, motor vehicle crashes, and unintentional injuries. Also, Caregiving Resources to understand dementia and other chronic health conditions

Caregiving services and digital tools

Every family’s caregiving needs are unique. You can determine what’s best for your family with open conversations, such as these questions to ask your aging parent. Use these online and digital tools to find services that are right for you.

• Family Caregiver Alliance: Services by State — A state-by-state overview of government health and disability programs, legal resources, disease-specific organizations, and more

• Administration for Community Living (ACL): Eldercare Locator — A local search that connects individuals to community services and support for older adults and their families

• Medicare: Health Care Providers Tool —  A local search to find Medicare-certified physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, home health care, and more

• National Council on Aging: Benefits Checkup — A local search that matches older adults and people with disabilities with benefits programs that can help pay for health care, medicine, food, utilities, and more 

• Greenlight: Family Shield — A platform that offers financial, digital, and personal safety tools, including financial monitoring and protection services, unsafe driving and SOS alerts, and more to help older adults stay safe while maintaining independence.

Financial & legal resources for caregivers

Caregiving often requires financial planning and legal decision-making, which can be complex to navigate. These essential resources provide guidance and actionable advice to ensure everything is in place for your family to be financially and legally secure, such as an estate planning checklist.

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Managing someone else’s money — An overview of financial caregiving, including the variety of roles from informal helpers, like trusted contacts, to power of attorney or trustee 

• National Council on Aging: Advice for Caregivers Managing Legal, Financial, and Medical Decisions — Guidance about the considerations required to manage legal, financial, and medical logistics

• Caregiver Action Network: Financial and Legal Tools for Family Caregivers — A collection of resources covering essential documents, government benefits, food assistance, medication discounts, taxes, and more

• Family Caregiver Alliance: Legal Planning for Incapacity — A guide to making arrangements for the future so the family is prepared, including the legal documents that everyone should have

Support for the caregiver

Caregivers must take care of themselves, too. Explore the top caregiver support resources to learn self-care strategies or find support groups so you can reduce stress and minimize the risk of burnout. Find out if your employer offers any caregiving benefits, such as paid leave policies, employee assistance programs (EAPs), flexible work arrangements, or access to tools.

• National Institute on Aging:  Taking Care of Yourself — Tips for caregivers to recognize if they need help and take action with self-care recommendations

• Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA): Taking Care of You — Several tools for caregivers to reduce stress and find solutions for better health and well-being

• National Council on Aging: Caregiver Stress: The Impact on Physical Health — An overview of signs of caregiver stress and several resources that can provide support and help reduce symptoms

• CaringBridge: Caregiver Support Groups — A list of online support groups and links to find in-person groups in your area

• Caregiver Action Network: Finding the Right Support Group — Advice on how to choose the support group that’s right for you, whether it’s condition-specific or caregiver-specific

Choose your family caregiving resources

Numerous resources help caregivers with education, services, guidance, and support — so you don’t have to navigate the challenges of caring for your loved ones alone. From national networks to local community groups, you can make use of the best resources to meet your caregiving needs.

Technology can also provide 24/7 support. When it comes to your senior loved ones’ financial, digital, and personal safety, Greenlight Family Shield is a digital tool that offers peace of mind with monitoring and protection, including fraud and driving alerts.

Sign up for Greenlight Family Shield to protect your senior loved ones and their finances, so you can all enjoy more and worry less.