Family Care Partner Health

Family care partners are an essential part of the equation for living well with dementia. Being a family care partner isn’t easy, but the information and resources on this page will help you navigate the complexity of care partnership.

Statue of two hands holding

A note on language:

“Caregiving” suggests a one-way interaction, while “care partnering” suggests reciprocity and honors the contributions all parties make to the overall experience of caring. “Care partnering” is a more inclusive and egalitarian term, but “caregiver” is more commonly used in the United States. A “caretaker” usually refers to a person who supports inanimate objects and should not be used to describe human care interactions. 

Rosalynn Carter speaking at a podium

“There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers. Those who will need caregivers.”

Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady

Some facts about
family care partners in Nevada:

Two elders smiling and embracing

adults in nevada are caregivers.

of care partners have provided care at least 20 hours per week.

total care partners in Nevada.

of care partners have provided care for at least two years.

manage household tasks

total hours of unpaid care in 2020.

are supporting someone living with dementia.

assist with personal care.

total value of unpaid care in 2020

What is the impact of unpaid care?

Family caregiving has been associated with:

  • Elevated levels of depression and anxiety
  • Higher use of psychoactive medications
  • Worse self-reported physical health
  • Compromiused immune function
  • Increased risk of early death

80% of care partners in Nevada have chronic health conditions, and 18% have depression.

According to the CDC, over half (53%) of caregivers indicate that a decline in their health compromises their ability to provide care.

Keeping yourself health as a family care partner means you are better able to offer care to others.

Painting of one hand grasping another's wrist

What are some of the positive aspects of being a family care partner?

Heart made of flowers being held by two hand
  • Opportunities to reciprocate
  • Spending more quality time together
  • Stronger, deeper relationships
  • Openings to practice mindfulness
  • Opportunities to learn and grow
  • Connecting me to the meaning of life
  • Sense of purpose and usefulness
  • Deepening our humanity

Proactive Approaches to Family Care Partner Health

Reduce stress

Take a break

Immunize!

Get good sleep

Schedule respite support

Ask for and/or accept help

Schedule
“me time”

Eat healthy foods

Keep a gratitude journal

Meditate and/or practice mindfulness

Walk, stretch, dance… move!

Stay connected with family and friends

Stay current on check-ups and screenings

Tell your doctor if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed

Tell your doctor that you are a caregiver

Here’s an activity to check-in on your own well-being.

Colored Cups

We can think of our well-being as divided amongst different domains. It is only if we can satisfy all of those domains that we can truly live our fullest, happiest, healthiest lives. Use this worksheet to check-in on those domains. If each domain is a cup, how full would you say that cup is?

Remember: you can’t help full someone else’s cups if your cups are empty!

Plan ahead, together

Scrabble letters spelling the words "Make" and "Plan"

Develop a care plan together, including information about:

  • Health conditions
  • Medications
  • Healthcare providers
  • Emergency contacts
  • Important social history
  • Routines and preferences
  • Advanced directives

Consider ways to eliminate these avoidable sources of stress for your loved one with dementia:

  • Lack of autonomy
  • Lack of sleep
  • Lack of routine
  • Lack of balance (between restfulness and activity)
  • Too much noise
  • Too much clutter

Join Dr. Jennifer Carson (family care partner and Director of Dementia Friendly Nevada)
as she brings all of the above content to life in her recent webinar!

Dr. Carson’s webinar is available through a free course hosted by Making Health Happen.

Get connected with resources for family care partners

Don’t stop here…
Find more resources!

Nevada is full of resources available to you
and
your loved one living with dementia. 

Elko Washoe Winnemucca/Humboldt Clark Nye Lincoln White Pine Esmeralda Eureka Lander Pershing Churchill Storey Carson City Douglas Lyon Mineral