Caregiving comes in many forms. Professional caregivers are specifically trained and hired for their expertise and to provide a high level of care. Non-professional or unpaid caregivers may not have the same formal training, but are driven to help others. But one type of family caregiving—the parental caregiver—is becoming a more frequent role in our healthcare landscape today. A parental caregiver is someone who provides care and support to aging or disabled parents.

Parental Caregiver Responsibilities

Due to their personal understanding of their parents’ needs, parental caregivers play a crucial role in the emotional and physical well-being of their loved ones. Many parental caregivers take on caregiving responsibilities out of love and a sense of duty to their parents by providing emotional, physical, and financial support. This can range from supporting daily activities like eating, dressing, bathing, and companionship to other healthcare needs such as making appointments and managing medications. Parental caregivers may also be needed to help coordinate financial and legal matters.

For parental caregivers, many responsibilities also involve raising their own children. This group is known as the “Sandwich Generation.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 4.5 million Americans are providing care for a parent while raising children under 18.

Challenges Facing Parental Caregivers

For many family caregivers, including parental caregivers, the responsibilities of this role aren’t taken lightly. It requires time, energy, patience, and a learning curve for many who don’t have formal training or instruction. By working to recognize and manage the challenges parental caregivers face, their health and well-being will benefit. Challenges may include:

• Emotional strain. There will always be emotional highs and lows in caregiving. By managing feelings of stress, guilt, and burnout, caregivers can combat the emotional strain.
• Time management. According to AARP, family caregivers provide at least 20 hours of care per week. Time management can be a challenge for those balancing caregiving duties on top of a career, personal life, and other family responsibilities.
• Financial impact. Caring for a loved one can often include providing financial support, such as covering medical expenses, making home modifications, and other caregiving services.
• Health risks. Caregivers can face physical and mental health risks due to stress from their caregiving duties. By keeping stress levels under control, caregivers can help lower their risk of burnout, sleep disorders, compassion fatigue, and more. 

Rewards of Being a Parental Caregiver

Being a parental caregiver is anything but easy. While there may be feelings of stress and overwhelm along the way, caregiving is the ultimate act of love. Caregivers are dedicated, compassionate, hardworking supports for those they care for. Parental caregiving can come with its own unique benefits:

• A strengthening of family bonds and emotional connections. Parental caregivers often find themselves forging a deeper understanding of their parents.
• A sense of fulfillment and purpose that comes from supporting a loved one.
• An opportunity to pass on values of compassion and responsibility to the next generation.

Support and Resources for Parental Caregivers

Parental caregivers are an important part of the healthcare ecosystem. By allowing their parents to age comfortably at home, caregivers help reduce strain on hospitals and other long-term healthcare facilities. While this is a significant contribution, many family caregivers take on the role without any formal training, often due to circumstances beyond their control. 

There are many support groups, both online and in person, that can be a positive outlet for parental caregivers seeking that type of community. Through local and state resources, there may also be opportunities for caregivers to receive financial support and coaching.

At Careforth, we strive to provide the resources and connections that ensure caregivers feel supported at every turn in their caregiving journey. Visit the How We Help page on our site to learn more about how Careforth supports caregivers financially, emotionally, and mentally. If you’re ready to get started, contact us here.