Caring for the Caregiver Caregivers come in all shapes and
sizes. They can be adult children, spouses, siblings, friends,
or neighbors, who help with daily activities, such as bathing,
feeding, and clothing. The caregiver may be the only person who
can take a loved one to doctors' appointments. The long-distance
caregiver may call weekly, help with expenses, or support the
main caregiver. According to the National Family Caregivers
Association (NFCA), more than 65 million people provide a level
of care to a loved one with a chronic disease each year. More
than one relative helps out in some families, but most
caregivers go it alone. Caregiving can be demanding and time-
consuming; it may even increase the risk of acquiring stress-
related disorders. How to succeed These tips are drawn from
professional, government, and charitable groups: the American
Society on Aging, the Federal Administration on Aging, The
Family Caregiver Alliance, Children of Aging Parents, and the
NFCA. Don't go it alone Ask others for hel