The Institute on Aging says 1 in 5 Americans is an unpaid caregiver for a family member or loved one. A new study by the AARP estimates that for the more than 40 million Americans caring for a loved one, the value of their work is $450 billion a year.

When I hear about someone becoming a caregiver for a loved one I always ask, who is taking care of you?

Caregivers are at a higher risk of depression and illness due to the incredible stress and physical demands of taking care of another person. But there is help.
While no one can take care of an aging loved one the way you can, others are quite capable of giving you some relief. If your own family is unable or unwilling to give you a rest from your duties, go outside the family in every way possible.
Get deliveries: Look for services like a pharmacy or groceries that can be delivered, even door to door laundry services

Seek respite care: Respite care provides caregivers with temporary relief, from a few hours to several weeks. Respite services can be provided through in-home care agencies, adult day services or facilities that allow short term stays.

Take advantage of workplace policies: Check in with your company’s Employee Assistance Program to learn about available programs. Many companies offer corporate elder care programs for employees. Your company may also offer other benefits for caregivers, such as telecommuting, flex-time, job sharing, and information and referral programs to local resources, on-site support groups or a geriatric care management program.

Check insurance of Medicare: You may be eligible to receive a home health aid or other services. Medicare pays for you to get certain health care services in your home if you meet certain eligibility criteria and if the services are considered reasonable and necessary for the treatment of your loved ones illness or injury. This is known as the Medicare home health benefit.

Find a support group: There are lots of different kinds of groups including those on the internet; chances are there is one tailor made for your situation.

Look into financial assistance: If you have found adding caregiver to your resume is a costly burden then here is something you want to know about. The National Family Caregiver Support program was established in 2000 and it provides grants to States based on their share of the population aged 70. But support is not just for the 70 plus, it is designed to assist families to care for their loved ones at home

There is no better way to take care of a loved one than to first take care of you. Think of it like part of the safety speech flight attendants give before take-off, “If the oxygen masks drop down, put on your own mask first before attempting to help others”. You can’t be helpful to others if you’re running out of air. Best wishes on your care giving journey, and take-care of you too.