Care Partner Support
Caring for a loved one with a medical condition can strain you emotionally, professionally, and financially. Finding balance isn’t easy, but Axsome OnMySide is here to help make caregiving more manageable with practical advice as you juggle responsibilities.
Fatigue. Social withdrawal. Feeling helpless. All are common feelings associated with caring for a loved one. This is particularly the case when patients are experiencing agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.
Here are a few ways to support your own wellbeing, helping you sustain the energy and focus that caregiving requires.
Keep up with doctor’s visits, eat well, and care for your mental and emotional health. Speaking with a counselor or therapist may help.
You don’t have to do everything on your own. Let friends and family assist with errands and tasks.
Support groups, local organizations, blogs, and online forums can reduce feelings of isolation and increase connection and understanding.
Even short breaks can reduce stress and prevent burnout. Consider activities such as:
Spend time with friends and allow yourself quiet time to recharge.
Respite care programs provide short-term care for individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or special needs to give primary care partners a necessary break. Care may range from a few hours to several days. Nurse Navigators can help identify programs in your area.
Caring for someone can drastically change your priorities and day-to-day schedule, making it difficult to maintain momentum at work.
Here are a few ways to navigate care with professional responsibilities.
Talk with your Human Resources department to see whether they can connect you with legal or financial consultations, backup care, or other support services. Many employers also offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that can refer you to eldercare services, grief support, caregiving assessments, and more.
Use available vacation, sick, or personal days when needed. Some employers also offer caregiving leave.
Eligible employees may also qualify for unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave while maintaining health insurance. Employees return to the same position or an equivalent role with the same pay and benefits.
Talk with your employer about the possibility of modifying your work schedule to build more flexibility into your workday. Options may include:
When possible, schedule appointments during breaks or lunch. Set aside dedicated time each day for calls and paperwork.
Here are a few ways to stay on task, maintain balance, and keep from feeling overwhelmed.
If you work from home, establishing a consistent routine can help both you and your loved one. Simple, familiar activities such as folding laundry or doing puzzles may help keep your loved one engaged while you work.
Focus on what's most urgent and allow less-pressing matters to wait until later. Accept that setting priorities sometimes means saying "no" to people or requests. Use to-do lists to organize and prioritize tasks.
Large tasks can feel less overwhelming when divided into smaller, manageable pieces.
It's okay to set limits on your time and energy. Communicate your needs clearly and don't feel guilty about protecting time for yourself.
Apps, reminders, and calendars can help you stay organized and on schedule. Explore tools designed to simplify caregiving logistics.
Delegating tasks to family, friends, or community resources can ease your load. You don't have to manage everything on your own.
Acknowledge progress, no matter how small. Recognizing what you've accomplished can help sustain motivation and a positive outlook.
Caring for a loved one can place a heavy financial strain on families. Understanding potential sources of financial support specifically for caregiving may help ease some of that burden.
Tip: Plan ahead by establishing a Durable Financial Power of Attorney. This legal step allows your loved one to appoint a trusted adult to manage their bills, property, and assets.
Medicare may help cover services such as home healthcare, durable medical equipment, and short-term skilled nursing. Visit our Insurance Education section for more information about Medicare and other programs.
Grants from government agencies, nonprofits, and private foundations can help defray costs. Research may be required to find programs that match your eligibility and needs.
Explore offerings in our network of Advocacy Organizations
Some programs, such as Medicaid, Veteran Affairs stipends, and state or local reimbursement programs, provide payment or financial support to family care partners. Eligibility varies.
Some life insurance policies allow access to funds while the policyholder is still living, including accelerated death benefits for terminal illness. In certain cases, policies may also be sold to help cover care expenses.
Explore more programs in our Access & Affordability
