The basics
Overview
When you are caring for a loved one, it is also important to take care of yourself. The emotional and physical stress of being a carer can cause health problems – so get the support you need to look after your own health.
What is a caregiver?
An informal or family carer is someone who helps a family member, friend or neighbor who is ill or has a disability. Relatives often provide unpaid help with basic daily tasks.
You can be a carer if you regularly help someone with:
- Shopping for groceries and cooking
- Cleaning the house
- Bathing, going to the toilet, dressing and eating
- Takes and keeps track of medication
- Keeping wounds clean or giving shots
- Offer car rides to appointments
- Handling personal services, such as talking to doctors or paying bills
About 1 in 5 adults in the United States are caregivers. Most relatives also have other jobs, and around 1 in 4 spend more than 20 hours a week looking after a loved one.
Related stress
The stress of caregiving can lead to health problems.
When you are caring for a loved one, it can be difficult to take care of your own health. Relatives have a greater risk of getting sick, such as colds or flu. They are also more likely to have long-term health problems – such as arthritis, diabetes or depression.
You may have caregiver stress if you:
- Often feel angry or sad
- Feel like taking care of your loved one is more than you can handle
- Feel like you don’t have time to take care of yourself
- Sleep too much or too little
- Notice a change in your eating habits
- Lose interest in things you used to enjoy
Find out more about caregiver stress.
The good news is that you can lower your risk of health problems and caregiver stress if you take care of yourself and get support.
Take action
Physical health
Take care of your body.
Stress from caregiving can lead to problems such as back pain and difficulty sleeping. Taking care of yourself will give you the energy and strength to handle the demands of caregiving.
Here are some ways to care for your body:
- Eat healthy to keep your body strong. Making healthy food choices will help protect you from heart disease, bone loss and high blood pressure. Get tips for healthy eating.
- Get active to give yourself more energy. Aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking or dancing. And try to do muscle strengthening activities at least 2 days a week. Find out how to get active.
- Take steps to prevent back pain, such as keeping your back straight and bending your knees when lifting something heavy. Get tips to prevent back pain.
- Make sure you get enough sleep. Most adults need 7 or more hours of sleep each night. Learn how to get enough sleep.
Mental health
Take care of your mental health.
It is important to take care of your mental health. Consider these tips:
- Find ways to manage stress. You can start by taking a few slow, deep breaths several times throughout the day. Get more tips for dealing with stress.
- Do something for yourself! Set aside time each day to do something you enjoy. Try reading, listening to music or talking to a friend.
- Ask a neighbor or friend to visit your loved one while you take time to rest, go for a walk, or gain a new perspective.
- Get support from others to help you cope with the emotional stress of caregiving.
It can also help to hear from other people who care for a loved one – their experiences may be similar to yours. Check out these stories from other caregivers.
Content last updated 2 December 2025
Reviewer information
This information on support for caregivers is adapted from materials from the Administration on Aging and the Office for Women’s Health.
Reviewed by:
Bernice Hutchinson
Specialist in Aging Services Program
Administration for Community Living
