Hey Caregivers – Don’t forget about YOU

We see you.

You show up every day — strong, selfless, and determined to take care of someone you love. But can we be real for a minute? While you're out there doing everything for everyone else, who's looking out for you?

Let’s talk about something we don't say enough: caregiving can take a serious toll on your health — mental, emotional, and physical. And pretending you're a superhero with unlimited energy isn't doing anyone any favors (cape or not).

What the Research Says (Spoiler: It’s Not Great)

According to the American Psychological Association, caregivers are:

26% more likely to go without health insurance
59% more likely to skip doctor visits because of the cost

That's right. We’re so focused on others, we start treating our own health like it’s optional. Newsflash: It’s not.

The Emotional Load is Real

The Family Caregiver Alliance found that caregivers are more likely to experience:

Depression and anxiety
Guilt, stress, and burnout
Feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or just flat-out exhausted
Loss of identity and self-worth

Let’s not sugarcoat it — sometimes it feels like you're unraveling at both ends of the rope.

And Physically? That’s a Whole Other Ballgame

Caregivers report increased risk for:

Heart disease, diabetes, arthritis
Weaker immune systems
Slower healing and more infections
Higher cancer risks
Even a 63% higher mortality rate

(Yes, you read that right. Yikes.)

Caregiver Burnout is a Thing — And It’s Dangerous

Trying to do it all yourself? Classic path to burnout. And here’s the kicker: when you're burned out, the person you're caring for suffers too.

Common burnout symptoms:

Fatigue, irritability, mood swings
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Getting sick more often
Feeling hopeless or like you're just going through the motions

Even small mistakes — like mixing up meds or rushing care — can happen more easily when you're running on empty.

What You Can Do: Make a Caregiver Action Plan

The best time to make a care plan? Yesterday. The second-best time? Now.

Here's what to include:

Rotate caregiving duties with friends, family, or outside help
Schedule breaks (yes, actual time off)
Share tasks like grocery shopping, meals, cleaning, and pet care
Coordinate doctor visits, prescriptions, and bills
Keep everyone in the loop so you’re not doing it all alone

What's the GREAT NEWS?

I can help you. I have experience at creating plans tailored to individual situations.

There's no sales pitch, only help and hope. Schedule yours TODAY.

Remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Caregiving is a marathon, not a sprint. Build a team, set boundaries, and take care of yourself on purpose.