November is National Family Caregiver month. 

Family caregivers of aging loved ones have a lot of responsibilities.  Most are in the sandwich generation, caring for their own children and working full time.  Others are spouses that are aging themselves and managing physical and emotional stress that comes along with caregiving.  There are ways to simplify the caregiving role and ease the demands on yourself without too much cost.

1. Finances - if you are paying your loved one's bills and overseeing the finances try paying all the bills through one credit card.  You will only have one bill to worry about each month.  Plus, some credit cards give you points towards purchases.

2. Household Chores - if you are doing all the chores, try giving your loved one tasks that he or she can handle (it may also be good for him/her to move around a little).  If he is immobile, have him sit at the table and fold the laundry. If she has weakness, give her a small task such as wiping the bathroom sink.  They may only be small tasks, but it will save you time and energy.  At the same time, it is empowering your loved one to perform tasks.

3. Meal preparation - if you are cooking for your loved one, try making extra food and freezing it.  Spend extra time on a rainy weekend day and prepare soups, sauces, or meats to freeze in small portions.  This will simplify dinner or lunch throughout the week.

Saving time and energy is important when you are a family caregiver.  When you have a loved one that is dependent you need to keep yourself strong and healthy even more so. Caregiving is an extraordinary responsibility.  It is managing another person's life while balancing your own obligations.  It often comes to the point when it is no longer feasible for one person to manage it all.  Hiring assistance in the home can improve your loved one's life as well as your own.