At a time when hospitals are releasing patients earlier, the elderly are living longer, and people are living with many chronic illnesses, more family members and friends are caring for loved ones at home. Often, people find themselves having to perform new and unfamiliar tasks. These may include giving medicines, helping with personal care, assisting with meals, and performing medical and nursing procedures. There are different types of family caregivers.
Some caregivers are parents of children with physical, mental, or emotional illness.
Some are adult children of aging and frail parents who can no longer care for themselves. Others are spouses, life-partners, family members, neighbors or friends, caring for loved ones suffering from an illness or disability. Regardless of how you became a caregiver, you are about to take on a new role for which you may not feel prepared. It is normal for you to feel nervous or overwhelmed about what is expected of you. You may experience a number of mixed emotions including anxiety, anger, and sadness.