November is National Caregivers Month—a time to shine a spotlight on the millions of family caregivers who quietly, tirelessly care for the people they love. Whether it’s an aging parent, a spouse navigating a chronic illness, or a child with special needs, these dedicated individuals are the backbone of our healthcare system. And chances are, you know one. You might even be one.

The Caregiving Landscape: You’re Not Alone

Here’s a number that might surprise you: more than 63 million adults in the United States are family caregivers. That’s right—one in four Americans. Even more striking, one in three caregivers is under 50, juggling care responsibilities alongside careers, kids, and all of life’s other demands.

If you’re caring for someone, know this: you’re part of an enormous community, and your role is both vital and valued.

For many people, caregiving doesn’t come with advance notice. It arrives suddenly—after a phone call about a parent’s fall, a devastating diagnosis, or a medical crisis that turns life upside down. And while the love that drives caregiving is immeasurable, the challenges are very real.

The truth is that caregiving takes a toll. Between disrupted sleep, constant worry, physical demands and the emotional burden, it’s no wonder caregivers often put their own health on the back burner. Many cut back their work hours or leave their jobs entirely, sacrificing income and retirement savings. The average caregiver spends 26 hours per week providing care—and many give far more.

A Window Into One Family’s Journey

A co-worker shared this story with me. Her brother-in-law has lived with ALS for a decade. Today, he uses a wheelchair and needs assistance with everything—eating, bathing, dressing and even using the restroom. Her sister-in-law left her career to become his full-time caregiver, and while her love and commitment never waver, the exhaustion is constant. Add to that her own heart condition, and you begin to understand the weight she carries every single day.

Her story isn’t unique. It’s one of millions. And it’s taught me that while caregivers are incredibly strong, they shouldn’t have to do it alone.

Why Employers Should Care (and Many Already Do)

If you’re an employer wondering whether caregiver support matters, here’s your answer: absolutely. Supporting caregiving employees isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. When caregivers feel seen and supported at work, they’re more engaged, productive and loyal. Companies that embrace caregiver-friendly policies enjoy lower turnover and stronger morale.

Progressive workplaces are already stepping up with flexible schedules, remote work options, paid family leave and backup care services. But there’s another powerful resource that many employees don’t even know they have: their Employee Assistance Program.

Your EAP: The Support System You Didn’t Know You Had

Think your EAP is just for mental health counseling? Think again. If your company offers an EAP, you have access to a treasure trove of resources designed specifically for caregivers. Here’s what’s often available:

• Educational Resources and Expert Guidance
  Your EAP can connect you with information about aging, chronic conditions, disability services and caregiving strategies. They can help you decode medical jargon, understand treatment options and prepare the right questions for healthcare providers.
• Care Coordination Made Simpler
  Need to find a home health aide? Searching for adult day care or nursing facilities? Your EAP can provide referrals and help you navigate the overwhelming process of researching and evaluating care options in your area.
• Legal and Financial Consultations
  Many EAPs offer access to attorneys who can assist with power of attorney, healthcare directives, guardianship and estate planning. Financial consultants can help you make sense of Medicare, Medicaid and long-term care insurance—topics that can feel impossibly complex.
• Emotional Support When You Need It Most
  Caregiving comes with complicated emotions: grief, guilt, stress and sometimes resentment. EAP counseling services provide a safe space to process these feelings.
• Personalized Care Planning
  Some EAPs go even further, offering care consultants who can help you evaluate options, address home safety concerns and develop a comprehensive support plan tailored to your situation.

The best part? EAP services are confidential, free to you, and available without your manager’s approval. Using them won’t impact your job; it will only help you navigate one of life’s toughest challenges.

Take Action This November

National Caregivers Month is the perfect time to step up—whether you’re a caregiver, work with caregivers, or employ them:

• If you’re a caregiver: Don’t wait until you’re at your breaking point. Reach out to your EAP today. Explore what resources are available. Think of it as building your support network before you desperately need it. You deserve help, and it’s already there for you.
• If you’re a friend or colleague: Check in with the caregivers in your life—not with a vague “let me know if you need anything,” but with specific offers. Bring a meal. Offer to sit with their loved one for an hour. Just listen. Small gestures make a profound difference.
• If you’re an employer: Review your caregiver support policies. Are you promoting your EAP effectively? Many employees have no idea what’s available to them. Consider hosting an information session this month focused specifically on caregiving resources. Make it easy for employees to find help.

A Call to Action

Caregivers give so much—often sacrificing their own health, finances and peace of mind to care for those they love. This November, let’s commit to seeing them, truly supporting them, and ensuring they know about the resources that can lighten their load.

If you have an EAP, find out what caregiving support it offers. Visit your company’s HR portal, send a quick email, or make a phone call. That one small action could transform an overwhelming situation into something more manageable.

Remember this: Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s wisdom. It’s self-care. It’s what allows you to keep showing up for the person you love.

Let’s honor our caregivers not just with words, but with action.

Source: AARP

Caring for a family member or friend who has a disability or a chronic illness can be rewarding. But it’s also demanding. One of the keys to being a successful caregiver is to manage stress by seeking support and taking care of yourself. Managing stress is especially important for a caregiver, because stress can weaken his or her immune system. A weak immune system makes the caregiver more likely to get sick.

Think about the kinds of caregiving tasks or situations that trigger stress for you. Then you can focus on one or two things you can do that will help the most to reduce stress. Here are some ideas:

Get support
Ask family members for help. Include them in caregiving decisions.

• Ask family members for help. Include them in caregiving decisions.
• Share the tasks. Make a list of weekly tasks, and share that list with your family. Ask for help with shopping, housecleaning, and errands. You don’t have to do all the work on your own.
• Stay involved. Make time for social activities and friends, even if it’s only a phone call or coffee during the week.
• Join a caregiver support group. Meeting other caregivers helps you know you’re not alone. And it gives you a chance to talk about your worries and concerns with others who understand.
• Find respite care. Respite services provide someone who can stay with your family member while you get away for a few hours or days. Time away can help you manage your stress and be a better caretaker.
• Look up caregiver resources in your community. Hospitals, churches, and other groups may provide transportation or other services that support caregiving tasks. You can reduce stress by planning ahead so you know who to call when you need extra help.

Take care of yourself

• Put your own health first. Be sure to schedule and go to your medical checkups.
• Eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep. Taking care of yourself will help you deal with stressful situations.
• Get regular exercise. Even a 10-minute walk can relieve stress.
• Take a breath. Try stress reduction techniques like deep breathing and meditation.
• Take a break. It’s important to take time off from caregiving once in a while. Spend some time doing things you enjoy or on things in your own life that need attention.

What to think about
Depression is common among caregivers. It’s emotionally draining to care for a loved one whose health is getting worse. Don’t dismiss your feelings as “just stress.” If you’re having trouble coping with your feelings, it may help to talk with a counselor. If you have symptoms of depression, such as a lack of interest in things you enjoy, a lack of energy, or trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor.

Help is available. For additional mental health information and resources, visit MagellanHealthcare.com.

Source: Healthwise

Being a parent of a child with physical, emotional, or behavioral problems can be exhausting. Try to take good care of your physical and emotional health. Doing so will help provide you with needed energy to care for your child with special needs.

Schedule time for yourself. Use a calendar or planner to set aside specific times for buying and cooking healthy foods, resting, visiting with friends, and doing other things you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to ask family members or friends for help. Take a break while your child uses community services (such as school programs, social skills training, job training, and counseling). Ask your doctor about other resources that can provide you with needed personal time.

Learn ways to handle the normal range of emotions, fears, and concerns that go along with raising a child with special needs. Seek information about your child’s condition so that you will know what to expect. Use exercise, positive self-talk, relaxation, deep breathing, and other techniques to help you handle stress. Learn how to recognize when you need to use them.

Find out whether there is a support group in your area for parents of children with the same condition. Local and national groups can help connect families and provide much-needed sources of information. It may help you to share your feelings with others or simply to find out how others have addressed common issues. It can be comforting to talk with other parents who also face the challenges and joys of raising a child with special needs.

Seek and accept support from others. Don’t wait for information and assistance to come to you. Consider using respite care, which is a family support service that provides a break for parents and siblings. Trained staff can relieve family members from caregiving duties as needed. These breaks can help families communicate in a less stressful context and allow parents to focus complete attention on their other children for a while.

Allow yourself time to grieve if needed. You may feel a sense of loss about the dreams you had for your child. As you work through your grief, you will be better able to care for yourself and your family. Talk with your doctor or another health professional if you think you or another family member may be depressed or having other emotional difficulties.

Be realistic. In raising any child, there are no guarantees for success. It is important to remember to do the best you can and to know that you can’t control everything.

Believe in yourself. When self-doubts creep into your thoughts, remember to focus on the many good things you do for yourself and your child. If you are having problems dealing with your feelings about your child’s condition, talk with your doctor about whether counseling may be helpful.

Work with family and friends. Your family and friends may have concerns about your child. To address those concerns, you can:

• Talk about how your child’s condition affects you. Be open and honest about your hopes and concerns. Encourage others to talk about their feelings.
• Encourage them to learn about your child’s condition.
• Ask your other children to help with the care of the affected child as much as they are able. Allow them to refuse to help if they do not want to.

For additional information, visit MagellanHealth.com/MYMH

This document is for your information only. It is not meant to give medical advice. It should not be used to replace a visit with a provider. Magellan Health does not endorse other resources that may be mentioned here.