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When you’re called to be a caregiver

Helping with daily tasks is part of caregiving. But it’s also an opportunity to connect, human to human.

Published: March 13, 2025 |3 minutes to read

Written by: Brienne Walsh

An older person and their caregiver carry grocery bags down a sidewalk.

For some people, caregiving is a calling. For others, it’s a duty that takes a little getting used to.

In the past year, almost a third of the adult population have been called on to help a relative with health problems. So it can help to learn what it means and what it calls for.

Despite the possibility of caregiver burnout, it’s important to remember that caregiving can have upsides. One poll found that 83 percent of caregivers find it to be a positive experience, adding to an increased sense of purpose and meaning in life.

For many caregivers, this is the case. And this might include helping with tasks like housekeeping for their charge as well as taking them to doctor’s appointments and ensuring they take their prescriptions as advised.

In this article:

What is a caregiver?

There are many types of caregivers. Some live with their loved ones, helping with bathing, dressing and managing medications. Others chip in just a few hours a week. Some even live in different states, providing care by managing finances or processing insurance questions.

“Anyone who helps someone that is dependent is a caregiver,” says Jill Costello, a program coordinator at Hospice Savannah’s Edel Caregiver Institute in Savannah, GA.

And every caregiver should take a bow. The estimated value of caregivers’ unpaid contributions was approximately $600 billion in 2021. Their strength and selfless work are an inspiration.

Help for caregivers

Many people believe that they can — and should — do this job alone. But Costello emphasizes the need to divide up responsibilities. Lay out the situation to friends and family members and see if anyone can help. “Caregiving is a team sport,” she says. “One person cannot do it alone — even if they may want to.”

Look to professional resources, too. A first stop is to consult a charge’s health care provider, who can direct the caregiver to more resources around their condition. Dementia, for example, will call for different precautions to prevent falls. They may also be able to direct the caregiver to a support group in their area. There, “you meet people who have been there and can understand what you’re going through,” Costello says.

The benefits of caregiving

Although caregiving is not easy, it’s one of the most human things we do. “You can start to feel resentful — especially if you don’t give yourself breaks,” says Costello. But she also notes that this life stage and its unique challenges can really strengthen important relationships.

It can be a time for intimate conversations or for reflecting on the bonds that connect us. This happens through little acts of love, like a kiss on the forehead or a gently squeezed hand. Practicing gratitude — especially at a time when they might feel at the end of their rope — can have positive effects for both caregiver and their charge.

There’s no greater act of love than helping someone when they can’t help themselves. CVS Health® honors the dedication and selflessness of caregivers everywhere.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.

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