Finding Strength in Community: Why Senior Caregivers Need Connection

Who Are the Family Caregivers in the U.S.?

Around 53 million adults provide care to their loved ones, and 53 percent of family caregivers also work full-time jobs. It’s rewarding to care for those you love, especially if they’re the parents who raised you, but it’s challenging to juggle work at the same time. About 60 percent of these caregivers work 40 hours or more per week too. More than half report going to work late, leaving early or needing to take time off.1

Mostly women, they’re not only helping a parent and working a job, but they’re also raising children. Torn between their parents and children, they’re stressed-out members of the so-called sandwich generation.

What Is the Health Impact on Caregivers?

Caregivers often do not fare well and usually show a decline in health. Understandably, many people who care for their older parents between work and raising children have little free time and withdraw socially. They suffer from loneliness and isolation as a byproduct of caregiving. As a result, 40 percent to 70 percent of caregivers show clinical symptoms of depression.2

Elderly parents are also at increased risk of loneliness and social isolation, according to the National Institute on Aging, and the reasons include communication problems due to hearing loss, cognitive challenges, medical issues, geographically dispersed families and the death of loved ones.3

In addition to the ramifications of loneliness and lack of connection for caregivers, about 84 percent of caregivers said caregiving had a moderate or high impact on their everyday stress. The long-term accumulation of stress and feelings of emotional depletion often has adverse effects on caregivers’ overall health.4

Caregiving strain is often heightened for people caring for loved ones with dementia and for those providing end-of-life and hospice care.5

Why Are Caregivers for Seniors Getting So Sick?

Taking care of a senior loved one day in and day out can inflict damage on your well-being. Caregivers are taxed physically, mentally and emotionally. The negative effects on physical health may include memory problems, obesity, weakened immunity and the development (or worsening) of a range of chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.6

Caregivers deal with aging loved ones who have many needs, and it’s easy to see why they develop anxiety and stress. Many miss their own medical appointments and neglect self-care. Without realizing it, caregivers often suffer burnout.

According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the key symptoms of caregiver burnout:7

1. Feeling overwhelmed and fatigued
2. Feeling anxious, depressed or irritable
3. Feeling worthless, hopeless or like a failure
4. Showing lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed
5. Becoming forgetful or having difficulty making decisions
6. Having a change in sleep patterns (too much or not enough)
7. Having a change in appetite (eating too much or too little)
8. Gaining or losing weight
9. Having headaches, stomachaches or other physical ailments
10. Exhibiting unhealthy behaviors such as smoking or abusing alcohol or drugs

What Are the Benefits of Caregiver Support Groups?

Peer support groups provide emotional support and coping strategies to individuals. You can vent to family members, colleagues and friends, but nobody understands what you’re going through like someone going through the same thing. The groups offer a safe space to share your experiences caring for your older loved one.

If you attend a meeting either in person or online, you’ll notice that fellow caregivers have a unique understanding and sense of empathy. They’ve grappled with the same issues and challenges you are going through, and they can laugh and cry with you. You’ll feel reduced feelings of isolation and gain a sense of camaraderie.

Attendees usually share stories, exchange advice and find encouragement from one another. Group members share tips about helpful resources as well. By joining a senior caregiver support group, you can receive validation that comes from knowing you’re not alone.

Introducing the Caregiver’s Corner

If you are looking for support, we’d like to invite you to the Caregiver’s Corner! We are a community of senior caregivers who truly understand the rewards and challenges of caring for a loved one. This is your safe space to connect, ask questions, seek advice, share your experiences and access trusted information and resources from experts in their fields.

The group is facilitated by SeniorLiving.org, but it’s your space — a community created for and by caregivers. It’s driven by the community members themselves, but a caring administrator will monitor the site to ensure it’s a safe, friendly space for you.

Inspired by ongoing conversations with caregivers and seniors, we designed the group to meet the need for a supportive and informative environment. Members can share stories, exchange knowledge and tips, and find encouragement from others who are caring for their loved ones.

Caregiving is deeply personal, and peer support is invaluable. Knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference, and we’re here to ensure that you feel supported every step of the way.

Let’s learn, grow and support each other together.

Who Should Join the Caregiver’s Corner?

If you’re seeking caregiving resources and information on respite care and other types of care, as well as good, old-fashioned emotional support, join the Caregiver’s Corner.

If you value family, health and community and your current challenges include balancing work, family and caregiving responsibilities, you’re in the right place.

This site is designed for people in the United States who are caring for a senior parent, older relative or friend.

What You Gain

Among the many benefits already listed — have we mentioned feeling seen and heard, or maybe gaining back a little peace of mind? — here’s what we hope you’ll walk away with after you join the Caregiver’s Corner:

• Access to expert resources to help you enhance your senior caregiving skills.
• Support and connection with community members who understand caregiving.
• Connections with other senior caregivers through shared stories and experiences.
• Inspiration and the realization that you’re not alone.
• Better navigation of the caregiving journey as you forge meaningful relationships with peers on a similar path.
• A sense of giving back through shared insights and tips to support others in the community.