“Behind Every Hero Is a Human: Mental Wellness for Caregivers”
June 24, 2026
Did you know, according to the National Alliance Family Caregiver Annual report that over 53 million adults in the U.S. are caregivers for aging relatives, spouses, friends, or neighbors? That’s one in five Americans. By the time we reach 2030, as we all continue to age, those 65 and older will outnumber children, and the demand for family caregivers will only increase.
Caregiving is a powerful act of love, but it often comes with emotional and physical strain. My experience while caring for my mother in her later years was often a balancing act between a full-time job, carving out time for my activities and making sure her needs were prioritized. I often felt guilty about taking a much needed vacation or not making it to the grocery store to pick up her favorite cookies. Many caregivers feel guilty for wanting rest or personal time, believing that every moment should be devoted to others. But here’s the truth: neglecting your own mental wellness doesn’t help anyone. Chronic stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and even resentment can build up, making caregiving harder and less sustainable.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential! When you actively take charge of your mental wellness, you’re better equipped to care for others with patience, compassion, and resilience.
Mind First: Why Self-Care Is Your Superpower
- Scheduling “Me Time”: Treat it like an appointment. Even 15–30 minutes a day for reading, walking, or meditating will recharge your energy.
- Connecting with Others: Join support groups or hobby clubs. Sharing your journey with others can be deeply healing.
- Asking for Help, then Accepting It: You don’t have to do everything alone. Let others support you.
- Setting Boundaries: Practice saying “no”. Protecting your time and emotional space is not selfish.
- Celebrating Small Wins: Be a witness to your own efforts. You’re doing something extraordinary.
- Prioritizing Sleep and Nutrition: Listening to your body when you need rest and fuel to be strong.
- Seeking Professional Support: Therapy or counseling can provide tools to help you manage
Mental wellness is an active journey of embracing self-care to cultivate resilience, emotional strength, and personal growth. It’s not a onetime fix, but a continuous process of nurturing your mind and spirit.
Start your journey with me today.
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Is it just me that think a lot of advertisements depict the 55+ community as people simply waiting at death’s door? They, in general, seem to send the message that we are lackluster; out-to-pasture; and no longer contributors to society. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of us are still working, others are volunteering in schools, food banks, and other charitable initiatives (some a little less now due to the coronavirus pandemic); and there are those that are enjoying life by participating in activities such as marathons, skiing, swimming, dancing, cycling, etc. Based on news stories, we see more grandparents are raising their grandchildren and not missing a step to ensure that their grandchildren attend a myriad of activities; and 80+ individuals are living active lives to the fullness in so many ways, i.e., SCORE volunteers providing business advice to new entrepreneurs; obtaining college and advanced degrees; and so much more. I must admit with much amusement, I witnessed a 90+ woman in my church raise up her walker and do a little jig! Our minds are still sharp, our bodies are able, and we still participate in society in so many meaningful ways. We share our wisdom and knowledge with the next generation(s) while at the same time we re-tool ourselves to keep current with the latest technology. So, let us dispel the myths (or mis-messaging) of aging and let everyone know that, #aging it’s a good thing!
The COVID-19 pandemic has really turned all of lives upside down, coping with this new phenomenon, wearing a mask. Older adults of late have become victims to unscrupulous predators wearing a mask. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the enforcement of masks wearing has left our older adults vulnerable targets for abuse and robbery. While they are not able to see the entire face of an individual behind the mask, at times this has caused some older adults to be less observant of their surroundings. As result older adults may be caught unaware of someone following them or aggressively moving towards them. During this COVID-19 pandemic period, please encourage your older adult family member, friends, and neighbors, to stay alert while they are venturing out into the public to take care of whatever need they might have. If you have an older adult relative, or if you know of an older adult who lives alone, please offer to run errands for them or go with them. This will help in increase their safety and ensure they are able to have their daily needs met.
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19. On the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it is referred to as “social distancing.” I was never comfortable with that phrase because of the pictures it brings to the mind’s eye about isolation and especially about older adults in isolation. There is a difference between being alone and being isolated or lonely. Google the words cigarettes and isolation together and you will see stated many times that loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. This statement has been out for five years B.C. (before COVID). With the onset of COVID-19 and older adults being a target demographic to become ill from it, the focus on isolation has become amplified. It is important to have solutions that help each of us with social isolation while we continue to physically distance from others. And you know what? This also means each of us should commit to taking affirmative steps to help ourselves and others in a post-COVID world as well. AARP provides recommendations to help mitigate the harmful effects of isolation . Some of them are to: Connect with family, friends or loved ones. Make the effort to do it, even if you must push yourself. Just a few minutes will go a long way. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Care for living things like pets or plants Take care of your body: walking inside or out, light stretching, eat as healthy as possible. Listen to music, find activities that bring joy. Find ways to laugh. Visit the AARP Foundation’s Connect to Affect to find access to other resources and to learn more about social isolation.