How to Get Support as a Family Caregiver

More than 20% of Americans act as caregivers for family or friends, and many don’t ask for help. Common myths about caregiving often make those serving as caregivers feel isolated, stressed, and misunderstood.

We’re busting three untrue assumptions about caregiving and sharing ways for caregivers to get support.

Myth 1: Only one person should be a family caregiver

Fact: Caregiving can and should be shared among multiple family members.

Although men have taken on more caregiving tasks than in the past, female caregivers spend more time providing care than males do. And the NIH found that female caregivers—identified as wives or adult daughters of the care receiver— are often over 65 years old.

More recently, there has been an increase in cooperative family caregivers and family caregiving teams, like those providing care for multiple family members simultaneously, and those providing care successively to several family members.

Get support by speaking up when you need help as a caregiver.

Live far away from your family members? Use the Avanlee app to coordinate caregiving remotely. We’re here to simplify caregiving and spread the workload of family care between you and your loved ones.

Myth 2: You’re alone in your caregiving journey

Fact: With an estimated 48.1 million caregivers in the United States, you are not alone.

But many caregivers don’t talk about their struggles, which increases their own isolation.

According to Help Hope Live, when caregivers don’t reach out for support, it creates a “deficit of support” where family and friends are unaware of the workload and stress the caregiver is under.

How can you get help? Find a caregiver support group near you or online to connect with the caregiving community and learn ways to navigate your caregiving journey.

Myth 3: You can’t work full time and still be a caregiver

Fact: 61% of caregivers work full-time jobs and provide caregiving support. Yes, you can work full-time and be a family caregiver, but make sure to balance caregiving and working.

If you choose to work full time and serve a caregiver, you’ll need to make sure you have a plan in place. You might delegate some tasks you previously managed, and that’s okay! It’s important to prevent your own caregiver burnout.

40% of caregivers reduce their work hours after beginning caregiving. Depending on the nature of caregiving tasks, hours may be reduced further.

Get support by using the Avanlee app to help manage schedules and assign caregiving responsibilities to family members. You don’t have to carry the brunt of responsibility.

Whether you’re a sole caregiver or part of a larger family support system, Avanlee is here to simplify your caregiving journey. From full-time workers who are also balancing caregiving to full-time caregivers, we’re in this together.