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Are you helping a spouse, family member or friend
more than you used to with doctor’s appointments,
medications, or personal care?
You're a caregiver.
You are not alone.
There are an estimated 500,000 Minnesotans age 18
and over who provide unpaid help for older adults
and adults with disabilities in
Minnesota.
Are you a caregiver?
Want to be sure?
Take the Quiz.
Caring for an older adult family member or friend
may be one of the most important roles you will
perform in your lifetime. It’s not easy, and most
of us are not prepared to do it.
Helping others is rewarding, but it can also be
emotionally and physically exhausting.
Take the advice of other family caregivers:
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Get plenty of help early on so you don’t become overly
stressed or exhausted. Accept help from others.
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Take care of your health. Eat well and stay active to
increase energy and reduce stress.
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Others may be willing to help you. Take advantage of
it and give them a task list.
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Take time for yourself and take breaks. Don’t stop
doing things you enjoy.
Help is available to care well for yourself and
your family member or friend.
Care Well Resource
Sheet.
Call the Senior LinkAge Line®
1-800-333-2433 to
find help available in your community. Learn
more about payment sources for caregiver services
and supports.
Develop a
long-term care choices plan for yourself and
family member or friend.
Like most people, you may have questions about
your family member or friend’s health condition.
For information and about health promotion and
chronic diseases:
View the ECHO TPT video show “Helping
Families Care for Older Adults” for limited
English speaking audiences. English, Spanish,
Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Lao and Kymer or go to
www.echominnesota.org.
In Minnesota, older adults and family caregivers
can access funds to pay a family member or friend
to provide care or purchase goods within a budget.
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging and ask
about the Consumer Directed Community Supports
Service Option or go to
www.dhs.state.mn.us/cdcs
Caregiver Links:
Administration on Aging Caregiver Resource Room
www.aoa.gov
National Family Caregiver Alliance
www.caregiving.org
National Family Caregiver’s
Association
www.thefamilycaregiver.org
NOVEMBER IS PROCLAIMED AS FAMILY CAREGIVER
MONTH
IN MINNESOTA
Read Governor
Pawlenty's proclamation
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