Care and Security

A staff member is on-site 24/7 to react in case of an emergency. Some communties have emergency response systems and keypad entry for additional peace of mind. 

A caregiver focuses on providing support with daily tasks like bathing or meals, a care partner takes a more collaborative approach.

Care partners involve the person they’re supporting in decisions—encouraging shared routines, mutual respect and meaningful connection.

This partnership can boost confidence and help your loved one feel more independent and engaged in daily life.

Small changes and steady support can make a real difference. Brookdale and other leading organizations offer a variety of helpful resources:

Caring for a loved one can feel meaningful—and at times, overwhelming. Your experience depends on many factors, including your relationship, how much support is needed and the type of care you provide. Understanding the impact on your own health and stability is an important part of planning for the future.

Physical health

When your day centers around someone else's care, it can be easy to lose track of your own health. Caregivers often delay appointments or skip exercise and meals. Small habits can make a big difference.

Focus on:

Mental and emotional health

Even more impactful are the mental health effects of caregiving. Many caregivers struggle with depression and high levels of stress, both of which can further impact your physical health. In particular, those caring for loved ones with dementia, those caring for their spouses and those with limited support systems tend to be impacted the most. 

Consider different ways for support:

• Respite care to give yourself time to reset

• Help from friends, neighbors or family

• Counseling or therapy

• Local caregiver support groups

Finances

Many caregivers adjust their work schedules, turn down promotions, or step away from careers. At the same time, they often take on more expenses—like healthcare, supplies, or home adjustments.

You may be eligible for financial support through programs such as:

• Medicare or Medicaid

• Veterans benefits

• Social Security/Social Security Income
  

A senior living advisor can walk you through available resources and guide you toward programs that fit your situation.

Support that strengthens your role

Care support empowers you to focus on connection, while trained professionals assist with daily tasks. Whether you choose in-home services or explore senior living, the right support creates space for more meaningful moments together.

Caring for a loved one takes heart—and energy. Providing daily care can bring meaningful connection and comfort to someone you love. At the same time, it often requires time, energy and focus that can affect your own well-being.

As your responsibilities grow, certain signs may indicate it’s time to explore additional support:

Physical Signs

• Low energy: You feel tired earlier in the day or notice a lack of stamina.

• Disrupted sleep: Falling asleep is harder—or you find yourself sleeping more than usual.

• Shifts in appetite: You’re eating more or less than usual, or reaching for quick meals instead of your go-to recipes.

• Frequent aches: Headaches, stomach discomfort or muscle tension show up more often.

Emotional Signs

• Irritability: You feel on edge or more reactive, especially around the person you're caring for.

• Ongoing worry: Small concerns start to feel larger, sometimes affecting your body through tension or digestive changes.

• Low motivation: Activities that once felt fulfilling may now feel draining or unimportant.

• Disconnection: Social plans or time with friends begins to fade into the background.. 

Burnout Prevention

If these signs sound familiar, it may be time to adjust your routine and recharge. Here are a few ways to take care of yourself while continuing to support your loved one:

• Prioritize moments that restore you. Spend time each day on something that brings you joy—however small.

• Share the load. Consider delegating some care tasks to friends or family.

• Seek professional support. Family and friends may be more willing to help than you think.

• Consider outside support. Home care services can step in to handle daily tasks, giving you more space to focus on connection and presence.

Often, one sibling assumes the role of primary caregiver when a parent’s health declines. This sometimes leads to an unfair split of labor—and support is important during this time. When reaching out to your siblings for help, it can be beneficial to plan your approach so you can preserve your relationship with them and still feel heard.

Ask early

The earlier you bring your siblings in, the more prepared your family will be for caregiving. If you continue taking on responsibility without asking for help, it’s common for caregivers to grow resentful. 

Even when your caregiving tasks are at a sustainable level for you, it’s worth discussing with your family what the plan is if your parent’s care needs increase or your personal circumstances change. It may be reasonable to help get mom to her doctor's appointments now—what about if she develops issues with her memory or you have to relocate for work?

Have a family meeting—preferably in person

Once you’ve decided to bring your family into the caregiving process, it’s time to have the first of many discussions about your parent’s care. Speaking in person can be more personal and clear than phone calls, emails or texts—it’s important that everyone feels genuinely connected and present. Invite your siblings to grab coffee or dinner and be up front with the purpose of the meeting. 

Write things down

Before you meet with your siblings, write down examples of your parent’s needs. Keep track of how often they need your help, instances like falls or injuries and feedback from doctors or other professionals. This will help you communicate what your parent’s needs actually are—the news you’re sharing may be hard to hear, and being armed with examples can help you demonstrate your point. 

During your discussion, make a chart of responsibilities like the one in this guide. This helps keep everyone on track and makes the division of labor clear. Plus, it gives you a document to refer back to during future discussions. 

Be ready to listen

These conversations can be challenging—be sure you’re ready to hear your siblings' perspectives as well as your own. Practice active listening and avoid interrupting. Try to take a deep breath and take a beat before responding if stresses run high. 

The bottom line—the actions of your siblings are ultimately out of your control. If your siblings are unwilling to help care for your parents, focus on things within your control: try to carve out more time for self-care, lean on your village and consider looking into professional support and senior living communities. 

Explore funding options for care

Start by connecting with a senior living advisor. They can guide you through funding options that may apply to your parent’s situation, including:

Taking the time to explore what’s available can help you feel more prepared and confident in your next steps.

Keep everyone informed

After your family meeting, stay connected with regular updates. As your parent’s needs evolve, your plan might need to shift, too. Set up a simple system—like a shared group chat, calendar reminders or scheduled check-ins—to keep siblings and loved ones informed about your parent’s care and well-being.

Connection supports well-being. As your parent ages, they may spend more time alone or have fewer opportunities to connect. Life changes, mobility challenges or the loss of longtime friends can contribute to feelings of isolation. 

Stay alert to shifts in mood or behavior to recognize when it’s time to encourage more connection. Whether through family visits, local clubs or virtual communities, creating opportunities to stay engaged can boost your parent’s physical and emotional health.

Signs of isolation

Potential impacts of isolation

• Depression and anxiety

• Cognitive decline

• Heart issues

• Increased fall risk

Ways to support connection

• Help them explore video calls or online groups to stay in touch

• Coordinate transportation to clubs, community events or faith gatherings

• Set a schedule of regular visits with family, friends, or neighbors

• Explore senior living options that offer built-in community and daily connection

Your support matters—and so does your well-being. Caregivers thrive with connection too. Make time for support groups, online communities or respite care to recharge and stay balanced.

Staying on top of medications

As your parent’s needs change, their medication list may grow. Staying organized can support their comfort and health. If managing prescriptions starts to feel overwhelming, trained team members in senior living or home care can help keep management on track.

Helpful tips for staying organized:

• Learn the medications. Knowing what each pill looks like and why it’s prescribed can make daily routines easier to manage.
• Use a pill organizer. A daily or weekly organizer makes it simple to sort doses and keep them portable.
• Pair medication with a routine. Link pill-taking with regular habits—like breakfast or bedtime—to build consistency.
  
• Use the same pharmacy. Filling prescriptions at the same place helps pharmacists monitor your parent’s medications for potential interactions and consistent communication.

Partnering with your parent’s doctor helps you stay ahead of their health needs. Open conversations can lead to better outcomes—and greater peace of mind for both of you.

Before the visit, talk with your parent about what they'd like to discuss. During the appointment, focus on support—while making space for their voice to lead.

Here are some helpful questions to guide your conversation with the doctor:

Medication
 

Treatment plans

• What is the main goal of this treatment—relief, recovery or management?

• How can I help my parent feel more comfortable during the process?

• Are there signs I should watch for as we move forward?

Lifestyle and wellness

• What type of exercise would support my parent’s current health?

• Is their nutrition on track? Should we adjust their diet?

• What can help maintain or improve their mobility?

Mental and emotional health

• What helps reduce stress and create more calm?

• What are early signs of anxiety, depression or isolation?

• Could any treatments or medications impact their mental well-being?

Next steps

• Are there any emerging risks I should be aware of?

• What resources or services could benefit my parent right now?

• Which screenings or checkups should we plan next?

Be an advocate—and a partner. Your involvement matters. Supporting your parent at appointments builds confidence, trust and clarity. You can create space for more collaborative care when you help guide the conversation while respecting their voice.

Your loved one has access to a range of services designed to meet different care needs. Some are privately paid, others may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or veteran benefits, and many local programs offer free or low-cost support.

Since availability can vary by location, it helps to check with local agencies and providers to see what’s offered in your area.

Explore support options for your loved one

Personal Care and Health Support

• Home care: Personal care aides help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, errands and companionship. These services focus on non-medical support and are typically paid out of pocket.

• Home Health Aids (HHAs): HHAs assist with medical needs such as wound care, medication administration or rehabilitation exercises. These services may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.

• Medication reminders: From in-person reminders to automated phone calls or apps, these tools help your loved one stay consistent with their prescriptions.

• Medical alert systems: For those living alone, wearable or in-home devices can connect directly to emergency responders. Some Medicare Advantage plans include these as a benefit.

• Meal delivery services: Many community-based programs offer nutritious meal deliveries funded through grants or donations. These may be low-cost or free for older adults.

• Hospice and palliative care: These services provide comfort-focused support for individuals with advanced illness and can take place at home or in a care setting. Medicare and a majority of insurance plans cover both hospice and palliative care.

Financial Resources

• Medicare and Medicaid: Federal programs that help cover medical care, prescriptions and, in some cases, in-home support or skilled nursing.

• Social Security and Social Security Income: Social security is a federal retirement fund you can qualify for based on work history and age—social security income is a supplemental fund based on your need. 

• Elder law: Elder law attorneys can help with estate planning, long-term care decisions and benefit navigation. Check with your state to see if there are programs that provide legal aid to seniors.

• Veterans benefits: Veterans and their families may qualify for certain pensions, medical coverage and other benefits. 

Community and Socialization 

• Adult day care: Adult day care provides activities, socialization and connection in a secure space. Medicaid waivers, long-term care insurance and veterans benefits can help pay for this service.

• Senior living: Senior living provides a community of neighbors, trained staff on site 24/7 and countless other amenities—plus, you can have peace of mind knowing your loved one is cared for. 

• Clubs and community centers: Local centers often host events, wellness programs and hobby groups tailored to older adults.

Caregiver Support

• Respite care: Designed to give family caregivers a break, respite care can be provided in the home or at a senior living community. It may be covered by long-term care insurance or veterans programs.

• Support groups: Check your local community centers, libraries and places of worship for caregiver support groups.

Where to start

• State government websites: Check your state government’s website for information on programs like Medicaid waivers, elder legal aid and financial assistance.

• Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAA): AAA offices connect families with local programs, support service and aging-related resources. Visit your state’s website to find a nearby office. 

• National Institute on Aging (NIA): This trusted source offers up-to-date guidance on aging, Alzheimer’s, and caregiving. Their resources are grounded in expert research and accessible to families.