If you're supporting someone who struggles with daily tasks due to illness, disability, or mental health challenges, you're a caregiver. Many don’t realize they’re caregivers right away, as the role can look different for everyone.
Whatever your situation, we’ve got lots of advice and resources to help you navigate the challenges of becoming a new caregiver. Below, we explore what it means to be a caregiver.
Let’s break it down. Unpaid or family caregivers (often referred to as informal caregivers) typically provide support out of love, compassion, and personal commitment. This could be a parent, spouse, sibling, grandchild, or any other loved one. They often don’t have formal training but provide support with tasks like cooking, cleaning, or helping someone dress.1
On the flip side, professional caregivers are hired for their expertise and sometimes have medical qualifications, too.1 They might work in hospitals, care homes, or directly in people's homes.
Different countries handle caregiving in various ways. As populations age, the need for caregivers keeps growing.
In some places, it’s all about family support, while others rely on trained professionals. Either way, caregivers provide huge social and economic value, often without recognition or compensation (in the case of informal care). With demand rising, it’s more important than ever to support caregivers and ensure they get the help they need to keep doing their important work.
Being a caregiver involves offering a lot of hands-on support. Here’s a breakdown of what that could include:
Caregiving is all about providing practical and emotional support to help loved ones maintain their well-being and quality of life.
Caring for a loved one is a deeply personal journey, whether you're helping a parent, spouse, or friend. Family caregivers often step in to provide the support their loved ones need, juggling personal care, household duties, and emotional support. The role can be rewarding, but it’s also challenging. If you’re caring for someone, remember, you're not alone and you’re doing an incredible job - even on the hard days.
The emotional toll of caregiving can be significant. Many family caregivers experience burnout, trying to balance the demands of caregiving with other personal responsibilities. The constant pressure can lead to stress, frustration, and feelings of isolation. It’s important to recognize these challenges, seek support when needed, and give yourself permission to ask for help. Read dealing with the emotions that come with caregiving.
In-home caregivers provide a wide range of services to support people who need help but prefer to remain in their own homes. Services can vary from light assistance like housekeeping and companionship to more intensive medical care, depending on the person’s needs.
An in-home caregiver is someone who provides care for a loved one in their home. They can help with daily tasks such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, and medication management. Accessing these services typically involves reaching out to caregiving agencies or directly hiring a caregiver.
People with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or those recovering from surgery often require these services. In-home care is more personalized than assisted living, but it can also be more expensive, depending on the level of care required.
Sometimes our loved ones may need a little more practical support and care, perhaps due to an ongoing illness or disability that’s causing limited mobility. Your daily tasks might include assisting with bathing, preparing meals, or reminding them to take their medications.2
If they’re no longer able to engage in activities they once enjoyed, remember that there are still plenty of ways you can support them and spend meaningful time together. Shared activities can help keep things enjoyable and break up the daily routine. In many cases, a little support can go a long way in helping someone stay comfortable and independent at home.
When it comes to providing full-time or high-level care, the physical and emotional demands can be overwhelming. Caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s, dementia or in a palliative care situation requires constant attention, as these conditions often involve complex medical and emotional needs.
The role of the caregiver can be demanding, as it may involve round-the-clock care, managing medication, and offering both physical support and emotional comfort. In these situations, the caregiver becomes a key pillar in maintaining the quality of life for their loved one.
Caregivers come in many forms: friends, neighbors, parents, adult children, or professionals. If you’re providing ongoing care to someone, you’re a caregiver, no matter your background or training. Whether you're supporting a family member or a neighbor, caregiving isn’t limited to professionals; it’s about offering consistent care and helping your loved one navigate their daily needs.
Whether you’re a seasoned caregiver who needs some self-care, or new to caregiving, we’ve got you covered.
TENA supports caregivers with products, educational resources, and a welcoming community. Our range of incontinence solutions and expert guidance can help make daily care easier, enhancing comfort and quality of life for both you and your loved one. From emotional support to tips on choosing the right incontinence care products, our resources are here to help you feel confident and supported every step of the way.
References
1. Springer Nature. ‘Formal and informal care’. 2019. Available from: https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-69892-2_847-1#:~:text=Formal%20care%20for%20older%20people,depth%20of%20their%20training%20varies.
2. Hopkins Medicine. ‘Being a caregiver’. 2025. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/caregiving/being-a-caregiver#:~:text=A%20caregiver%20provides%20assistance%20in,and%20communicating%20with%20medical%20staff.
