As a senior care advocate, I am often asked—sometimes in passing, sometimes in desperation—“What can I do to help alleviate the stress and anxiety of caregiving?”
Often, I hear resignation beneath the question, as though the person asking is no longer sure relief is possible.
The question is never theoretical. It comes from people who are exhausted, emotionally frayed, and sometimes close to collapse. They love deeply, yet feel themselves slowly hollowing out under the weight of responsibility.
What I offer here grows out of what I have researched, tried, and lived through over nearly 15 years of caregiving. These practices did not erase the pain or remove the need for help. They gave me moments of steadiness, helping me show up with greater presence and clarity.
Caregiving can hold tenderness and grief, meaning and exhaustion—sometimes within the same hour. My hope is to offer a few accessible ways to ease some of that strain, while recognizing that no personal practice can replace adequate rest, shared responsibility, or professional support.
Consider these practices a place to begin. Choose one that feels manageable, and give yourself permission to start small.
(Note: About Us, a reference bibliography, related books, videos and apps can be found at the end of this article.)
