“Am I Really a Caregiver?” Redefining What It Means to Be the One Who Shows Up
You might not call yourself a caregiver. But you are the first person your loved one calls when something goes wrong. You’re the one answering texts from other members of your loved ones family while you’re at work. You’re the one who’s late to dinner, distracted during a meeting, or canceling weekend plans not because you have to, but because this is what you do for the people you love.
And somehow, it never feels like too much. Because this is your mom. Your dad. Your spouse. Your person.
But let me ask you…
Do you think about their needs before you fall asleep at night?
Do you wonder if they’re eating, taking meds, or if that doctor’s note made sense?
Have you missed work calls, PTO days, or full nights of sleep trying to “figure it all out”?
Do you tell yourself it’s temporary — just until the next test, appointment, or specialist visit?
If you said yes to any of these… You’re caregiving and you deserve to be seen.
We often picture “caregivers” as home health aides or people managing around-the-clock needs. But caregiving is also:
The adult child who pays Mom’s bills online
The spouse reading articles about dementia at midnight
The granddaughter who works from home every Friday to bring her grandma to chemo
The sibling coordinating all the doctor appointments (again)
It’s the behind-the-scenes work. The emotional load. The mental to-do list that never quite shuts off.
Here’s the Hard Truth, most caregivers are never asked, “Are you okay?”
Not by doctors. Not by family. Not even by themselves.
In fact, over half of caregivers say they’ve never been asked about their own well-being by a healthcare provider.
That’s not okay.
So Let Me Be the First to Ask You:
Are you okay?
Are you feeling seen in this post?
Or are you thinking of someone else, a friend, a sibling, a team member. Someone who has been carrying all of this without the title, without the help?
At KSH Aging Solutions, This Is Where We Start We don’t just ask, “What does your loved one need?” We ask, “What do you need?”
Because you shouldn’t have to do this alone.
Even if it feels easier to “just do it yourself.”
Even if you think, “This is temporary.”
Even if you think, “It’ll take too long to bring someone else up to speed.”
We’re already up to speed.
Let’s talk.
📞 Free 30-minute consults available.
💻www.kshagingsolutions.com
📍 Supporting families across Central Ohio
