A caregiver is anyone who provides physical, emotional, or logistical support to someone who needs help due to aging, illness, disability, or injury. This includes family members, friends, or paid professionals.

If you're helping someone with daily tasks, like managing medications, appointments, finances, meals, or emotional support, you’re a caregiver, even if you don’t call yourself one.

Start by learning about your loved one’s condition, understanding their legal and medical documents (like power of attorney or advance directives), and getting clear on their care preferences. A shared calendar, medication tracker, and list of emergency contacts are also helpful first steps.

At a minimum:

• Power of Attorney (POA)

• Advance Healthcare Directive

• HIPAA Authorization

• Guardianship (if applicable)

• Will and Trust (if planning ahead)

Understanding these helps you advocate, make decisions, and avoid legal roadblocks.

Power of Attorney lets you make legal or financial decisions on someone’s behalf. If your loved one becomes unable to act for themselves, POA allows you to legally help them. It must be set up while they still have capacity.

Create a central hub, whether a binder, shared Google Drive, or tool to keep everything organized. Track medications, insurance, contacts, documents, and to-dos all in one place.

Support can include respite care, local caregiver support groups, online communities, mental health counseling, and state or nonprofit resources. Start with Sandy’s Porch caregiver tools and check your local Area Agency on Aging.

Hold a family meeting. Use a caregiving plan to clarify responsibilities, expectations, and boundaries. Many families avoid this talk, but early conversations help prevent resentment and confusion later.

In some cases, yes. Medicaid programs in certain states, long-term care insurance, or Veteran’s benefits may offer compensation for family caregivers. Each state is different. Check eligibility with your local health department or benefits agency.

Burnout is common. Prioritize rest, ask for help, and make time for your own care, therapy, walks, meals, music, quiet. You’re not just a caregiver. You’re a human being, too.

Grief and logistics often collide. You'll likely be responsible for notifying agencies, handling legal documents, and settling their affairs. We provide post-loss checklists and guides to help you through this next phase with compassion and clarity.

Yes. Many caregivers experience anticipatory grief, sadness, or even guilt long before someone passes. You might grieve the life you used to have, or feel guilty for needing a break, feeling angry, or not doing "enough." These emotions are human. You're not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. We offer resources and community stories to help you process the tough stuff and give yourself the same care you give others.