Family Caregivers: How to Navigate Care for Multiple Loved Ones

Welcome back to Aging Together! In our latest podcast episode, Leslie Frank shared her story as a family caregiver for different loved ones, including her sister-in-law, followed by her mother, and then her husband. While caregiving, she also balanced multiple roles as a serial entrepreneur and navigated her own health conditions. In this blog post, we highlight the main takeaways and provide tips on navigating care, choosing the right fit for providers, improving your caregiver mindset, and paying it forward. 

family caregiver

providing care to different family members

Have you ever been a family caregiver to several individuals? The nature of caregiving can shift based on your relationship with the family member receiving the care. For example, you might understand your partner’s preferences better than you understand your sister-in-law’s. Here is some insight on balancing your care for different loved ones:

  • clarify roles and expectations when caring for multiple loved ones; communicate regularly with family; and document changing needs and preferences for each person
  • balance schedules by prioritizing the most pressing needs, while still making time for other needs
  • use tools like shared calendars, care notebooks, or apps (e.g., Caring Village, Carely) to coordinate care tasks and stay organized
  • seek respite and support; don’t hesitate to outsource tasks or accept help from community resources, volunteers, or professional services
  • periodically review and adjust your caregiving plan as both your loved ones’ needs and your own capacity shift
  • one size does not fit all; understand that one care recipient’s preferences can differ from those of another care recipient

choosing the right supportive living community

Some supportive living communities can seem aesthetically pleasing, with all the bells and whistles, but that doesn’t always mean the quality of care or range of services will be the right fit for the individual. Leslie and her care recipients had to try out several different formats and locations to find just the right fit. Here are some tips on finding the right fit for your loved one:

  • visit multiple communities to assess the environment, staff interactions, and true quality of care, not just aesthetics
  • ask about staff training, turnover rates, and how the community handles changes in resident needs or emergencies
  • involve the care recipient in the selection process to ensure their preferences and comfort are respected
  • request trial stays or short-term respite placements to evaluate the fit before making a long-term commitment
  • check online for reviews from residents and their families to get honest feedback on daily life and care standards

To learn more about choosing the right fit for supportive living communities, check out this blog post.

care mindset: dying to live

Leslie has battled cancer while continuing to provide caregiving to her loved ones. While everyone’s experiences with personal illness and caregiving duties are different, she encourages caregivers to improve their mindset when it comes to their own health and that of their care recipients. Below is some advice on improving your mindset:

  • acknowledge your own limits and practice self-compassion—caring through illness or stress requires patience with yourself
  • when possible, shift focus from what is lost to what can be cherished in the present with your loved ones
  • maintain your own wellness with scheduled breaks, counseling, and support groups to avoid burnout and foster resilience
  • celebrate progress, no matter how small, and set realistic expectations for yourself as both a caregiver and an individual

To learn more about reframing your caregiver mindset with resilience, check out this blog post.

paying it forward

After paving the way and navigating the healthcare system for herself and her care recipients, Leslie has taken it upon herself to provide patient navigator and advocate services to others experiencing similar situations. Here are some ways you can use your caregiving experiences and pay it forward to your community:

  • take on opportunities to share your experience and inform other caregivers through community talks, blogs, or social media
  • volunteer for organizations offering respite, advocacy, or companionship to families facing similar challenges
  • become a resource by sharing tips on navigating healthcare systems or organizing support for new caregivers
  • advocate for improved caregiving policies by joining or supporting local and national caregiver organizations

Resources

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Ready to connect with a community of family caregivers? Join our growing network to access resources, share experiences, and find support for the year ahead. Don’t forget to check out our latest podcast episode and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next by subscribing to our newsletter. Visit our Instagram page and/or our website for more information.

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