Grateful Caregiver

YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO DO IT ALONE Have you ever looked around and realized that everyone expects you to handle everything? During my recent vacation, I met a mother and daughter named Sandy and Alley. Sandy was 91 years old, and her daughter, Alley, was 64. As Alley and I talked, she shared that her sister was their mother’s primary caregiver. Alley was caring for their mother for an entire month so her sister could take a much-needed break. It was a simple conversation, but it stayed with me. I thought about the trust and cooperation it must take for two sisters to work together this way. One sister handles most of their mother’s daily care, while the other steps in and gives her time to rest. Their arrangement may not always be easy or perfectly balanced, but they found a way to support one another while ensuring their mother remained safe and surrounded by love. That is what sharing caregiving responsibilities can look like. It is not always a perfectly divided schedule. It is peo...

​ Why Is Asking for Help So Difficult? Many caregivers are natural helpers. We are used to stepping in, solving problems, and putting the needs of others before our own. Over time, we may begin to believe that we should be able to manage everything without assistance. A Caregiver’s Real-Life Cry for Help One family caregiver shared that she was caring for her mother while also trying to be present for her own children. The physical demands of lifting and bathing her mother had injured her back, and she rarely received consistent help from her siblings. She loved her mother and remained committed to caring for her, but she was exhausted. What she needed most was not permission to stop caring—she needed regular breaks, practical assistance, and time to breathe. Her story reflects what many caregivers quietly experience: loving someone deeply does not remove the need for support. Caregivers can be committed, compassionate, and strong while still feeling overwhelmed. This caregiver’s expe...