Care for caregivers: 6 strategies to boost your well-being and prevent burnout

Finding out that you will now be caring for a loved one with a serious condition is a life-changing moment.

That’s certainly the case for Emma Hemmings Willis, the wife of the legendary actor, Bruce Willis, who has opened up about how her family has been impacted by her husband’s 2023 frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) diagnosis. FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under 60. Hemmings Willis is currently working on a book for new caregivers to help guide them through a new chapter that includes grief and sadness, but also love, connection, joy, and happiness.

“I hope that you give yourself enough credit and some grace in all this,” she said on social media. “A lot of us come on this journey without any previous knowledge or experience. So, I just want to acknowledge you and all you are doing for your loved one.” 

The role of a caregiver can be demanding, and with a larger aging population in North Carolina and across the country, chances are many family members will eventually find themselves occupying this position. 

• About 1 in 6 of North Carolina’s adult population reported providing care for a friend or family member in the latest Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey (PDF).
• AARP estimates (PDF) that nearly 1.3 million people are caregivers in North Carolina, providing  $16.5 billion worth of care.  
• The number of caregivers nationally is expected to rise in the coming years. By 2030,  1 in every 5 Americans will be age 65 or older, with 1.9 million people in North Carolina (PDF) in that age group. 

As North Carolina’s single-state insurer for nearly a century, we recognize how important it is to support the caregivers of today and tomorrow, which is why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) has launched a series of supplemental benefits for our Blue Medicare Advantage members to provide their caregivers with much-needed support and participating in community collaborations for aging well. If you are a caregiver looking for resources for your loved one, Blue Cross NC care managers can help. Care managers work alongside members’ doctors and can help new caregivers get started. 

Here are six tips they share for caregivers.

Just like athletes need coaches, it’s important to find someone who can help guide you through care choices.

Caregiving support programs connect you with people who will walk with you on this journey and encourage you to take care of yourself along the way. These programs are available for family and friends who provide volunteer caregiving to Medicare Advantage members, as well as to Medicare Advantage members who are caregivers themselves. 

New caregivers should immediately complete any paperwork they may need to participate in a loved one’s care.

AARP provides a helpful legal checklist, and a Blue Cross NC care manager can help walk you through what is needed in your specific case. Choosing the right plan could help you to pay less out-of-pocket for medications you expect they will need and provide coverage for any upcoming surgeries. 

Food is an essential component to managing chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, and keeping individuals healthy and strong.

The International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research found that 15%–30% of older adults experience appetite loss – and that number is even higher in clinical settings, such as nursing homes. Those being cared for often encounter obstacles like trouble swallowing or dementia symptoms that surface around mealtime. That’s why meal prepping in advance can be a helpful strategy to reduce stress during those difficult windows of time.

Members enrolled in Medicare Advantage are eligible to have free, healthy meals delivered to their home for 14 days after an inpatient stay in an acute care facility or a skilled nursing facility. Food can also be purchased through this program for a fee if you need it for other caregiving situations. There is no benefit limit after discharge and meals can be provided on a schedule that works for you.

Being a successful caregiver often means bringing in some extra help.

We offer assistance for members to find providers for these in-home care services. Many of our Medicare Advantage plans also offer 60 hours annually of in-home support services. This could include companionship, assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing or grooming, meal prep, help with errands, transportation, and housekeeping.

To help members get to their medical appointments, many plans also offer up to two dozen no-cost rides for transportation to non-emergency medical appointments. 

Self-care is essential in order for you to continue to be there for your loved one. Consider prioritizing regular visits to your primary care doctor and completing your annual preventive care and recommended screenings.

If you live near the person you’re caring for, you may also want to exercise with them. Our Medicare Advantage members can access a gym membership at no cost through their plan, and caregivers will often purchase an accompanying membership so they can go together.

Health and well-being includes mental health, too. Grief counseling isn’t just for when someone has died – it can also help you deal with grief for the person that you once knew, especially in cases of dementia. Local support groups are also available.

The foundation of caregiving is connection.

When Bruce Willis' family celebrated his 69th birthday, his daughter Scout wrote, "Wild how so little has changed even though so much has changed. My dad is one of my best friends, perhaps now on a deeper level than ever honestly. I cherish his affection and the immense freedom with which he’s always loved us." 

Caregivers give so much: time, energy, love, and compassion. Our mission to improve health care for all is furthered by their inspiring efforts, and we’re committed to providing caregivers with everything they need, for themselves and their loved ones.