Every day, nearly half a million Connecticut family caregivers help their loved ones live independently at home. Whether it’s dropping off a meal or calling to say “hello,” the holiday season is a wonderful time to show appreciation to a caregiver in your life. 

Being a family caregiver is a big responsibility. AARP hears from many caregivers who want more information about how to keep their loved one safe at home, manage finances, keep stress under control, navigate forms, paperwork, and eligibility for services, use technology for care support, and make critical care decisions. 

There are many ways to appreciate and support caregivers, but sometimes it’s hard to know how. Below are some of the suggestions we received from several of the AARP volunteers who have been caregivers. 

Acknowledge the Responsibility of Caregiving: The responsibility and challenges of caregiving can take a physical and mental toll. Acknowledge the difficult role and stress they’re under with a simple “thank you.” 

Offer to Help a Caregiver, and Be Specific: Reach out with specific ways you can help, such as delivering a meal, mowing the lawn, shopping for the items on their groceries list, providing respite care, and more. 

Use Your Creativity: Create, and gift, a “caregiver coupon book” of tasks you can do to help a caregiver in your life. 

Be Present: Check in with a caregiver from time-to-time to say hello, see how they’re doing, and let them know you care about them. 

Share Information & Resources: Whether you provide or receive care, knowing the resources available in your community can be helpful. We compiled a comprehensive collection of resources in Connecticut and published them on our web site at www.aarp.org/ctcaregiving. 

Do you or someone you know provide unpaid care to a friend or family member? The extensive directory of information and resources to support caregivers in this important work on AARP Connecticut’s web site includes the following topics. 

General Caregiving Resources: A starting point to find services and supports in Connecticut throughout your caregiving journey. 

Finances, Planning, and Paying for Care: Paying for care can be confusing and cause financial strain. These resources can help with planning, finding available benefits, and avoiding fraud. 

Health Resources: Family caregivers help loved ones manage a wide variety of physical conditions. Many organizations that focus on specific diseases have resources available to help caregivers and support partners. 

Long-Term Services and Support: Long-term services and supports (LTSS) include a wide variety of programs and services that assist people with physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities. Many older adults and people with disabilities receive both unpaid care from loved ones and paid LTSS, either at home or in an institutional setting like assisted living or a nursing home. 

End of Life: It can be difficult to prepare for the end of your life or a loved one’s life. Resources are available to help people who are planning for the end of a life, and support a loved one through the end of their life or grieving the death of a loved one. 

Nora Duncan is the state director for AARP Connecticut.