It Takes More Than Love to Care for a Loved One

Chances are, if you aren’t a family caregiver, you know someone who is. Every day, more than 820,000 Washingtonians help their parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, neighbors, and other loved ones to live independently at home — where they want to be.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to highlight the important work these folks do. But simply thanking them isn’t enough. Here in Washington and across the country, AARP is fighting to support family caregivers and the loved ones they care for. We are advocating for more support, services that are community-based or home-based, caregiver training and more. We’re also working to connect caregivers and their loved ones with the resources and supports they need. 

Caregiving may start with driving your loved one to get groceries or going to doctors’ appointments. As time goes by, you may help prepare meals or handle bills, and you may find yourself taking time off from work to help. You may not think of yourself as a caregiver, but if you are helping someone with daily activities like getting dressed, managing medication, and providing transportation to and from appointments, then you ARE a caregiver and help is available.

In addition to the Community Living Connections program described here, check out these other resources for help and support in your community.

Get connected. Get Help. Call 211: AARP and United Way have teamed up to connect you with trained, compassionate people in your community who can help you find AARP caregiving resources and more. It’s called 211, it’s a free service, and you can talk to specialists who can help you find local resources for caring for your loved one — and for yourself, too! Get helpful information and community resources to support the many things you do to care for others, like driving to medical appointments, managing medications, or helping with finances or meals. You can also find resources that will help you navigate more specialized issues like home safety or veterans’ benefits, and more. When you contact 211 and ask for AARP resources, you also can get help for yourself, including finding support groups, counseling, and employment and placement assistance. Call 211 or visit www.aarp.org/211care.

AARP’s “Caring for Caregivers”: AARP Washington is here to help with information and resources to support and connect caregivers. Visit “Caring for Caregivers” at www.aarp.org/caregiverswa. You’ll find links to local resources and support, special events and activities for caregivers, and more. Be sure to look for our video podcast series featuring discussions with local experts, community leaders, and caregivers just like you on a range of topics to help you along your caregiving journey.

Local Resources Guide: If you are wondering where to turn closer to home, our state resource guide is here to help. Find local services for family caregiving, finances, legal support, health assistance, housing and care facilities, end-of-life care, and more. For more information, visit https://states.aarp.org/washington-211. A print copy is also available by calling 877-333-5885.

BenefitsCheckUp.org: Operated by the National Council on Aging, www.BenefitsCheckUp.org is a free tool that identifies services that can help pay for health care, medication, food, utilities, and more. For those needing long-term care or caregiver support, the platform can connect users to affordable aid and volunteer caregiver relief options. Additionally, the site assists with applications for more than 50 different programs, like Medicare’s Extra Help and state pharmacy plans.

No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan, taking care of a friend or family member in a home, facility or from a distance, or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having the right resources, information, and connections can make all the difference. Understand that you’re not alone in this journey; your role is essential, and there are tools out there to help.

Contributor Jason Erskine is Communications Director at AARP Washington. For information about AARP issues and events in Washington state, visit states.aarp.org/washington.