By Michelle Sonia, President and CEO
Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore
This February 20, we celebrate National Caregivers Day. Caregivers come in many forms – from healthcare professionals to family, friends, and community members.
When interviewing caregiver applicants for Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore, I ask them to share examples of their caregiving experience. Often, they gloss over personal examples, but that is really at the heart of our model. In fact, family members serve as the primary caregivers for most older adults and individuals with disabilities in the U.S. Caring for parents, neighbors, and even their children or grandchildren is all not only relevant, but extremely important.
Caregiving is deeply meaningful work, but it can also be physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. In the United States alone, about 63 million adults – roughly one in four – serve as family caregivers, supporting a loved one with a chronic condition, disability, or long-term care need. Many caregivers spend substantial time providing care: nearly one in four report providing 40+ hours of care per week, and the average family caregiver devotes around 25–27 hours weekly to caregiving tasks. Caregivers often juggle these responsibilities while also holding down jobs, with 6 in 10 caregivers employed on top of their caregiving duties. Over time, this level of commitment can lead to stress and burnout if caregivers neglect their own needs. Nearly half of caregivers in the U.S. are over the age of 50, putting them at increased risk of health challenges themselves. Self-care is not a luxury for caregivers – it’s essential to sustaining the strength, patience, and resilience needed to support others.
National Caregivers Day is an important reminder to pause and recognize the vital role caregivers play in families and communities, and to encourage them to prioritize their own well-being. Caregivers often experience financial strain, health challenges, and emotional stress – nearly half report some kind of negative financial impact from caregiving, and many say caregiving responsibilities affect their own health and quality of life. Simple self-care practices – like taking short breaks, asking for help, and setting healthy boundaries – can make a meaningful difference. Connecting with others who understand the caregiving experience can reduce feelings of isolation and remind caregivers that they are not alone. Taking time to rest, eat well, move your body, and attend to your own medical and emotional needs helps sustain the strength and patience caregiving requires. Most importantly, caregivers should give themselves permission to be human. On this day, and every day, caregivers deserve appreciation, support, and the reassurance that caring for themselves is not selfish, but essential for providing compassionate, sustainable care to those they love.
One of my goals is to help family members regain precious time with their loved ones. By making time for self-care and asking for help, there is the potential to shift the focus of visits and interactions from chores and errands to quality family time, which can help alleviate caregiver burnout.
Our senior caregivers are the backbone of what we do and an invaluable part of our team. They bring joy and comfort to seniors by delivering compassionate care and assistance with daily tasks that become more difficult with age. By supporting our caregivers as much as our care receivers, we create a community that thrives on empathy and mutual respect. This year, as we celebrate National Caregivers Day, we honor all our caregivers here at Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore as well as the many professionals we collaborate with in the community.
About the Author: Michelle Sonia is the president and CEO of Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore. Michelle grew up in Hanson and lives in Weymouth. She was valedictorian at Notre Dame Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Having worked in management consulting for more than 15 years, she is now excited about making an impact on her community. For more information, visit www.shsbostonsouthshore.com, email info@shsbostonsouthshore.com, or call 781-626-4800.
