Kathleen Greer, an expert on employee assistance programs, knows there’s no way to be prepared for your “new normal” when you're a caregiver. But what if you had a resource at your fingertips that could provide some emotional support for you—and the information and resources you need to help plan for your loved one’s care?

If you have a family member—child, spouse or parent—with a serious health condition, you may be able to use the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to get the time off you need to provide that care. Jill Green Lebow, head of human resources for Fallon Health, explains how the FMLA process can be helpful for some caregivers.  

Guest contributor Janet Sweeney Rico, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.B.A., describes her experience caring for her daughter, who has needed intensive, round-the-clock caregiving since birth.

Before your loved one’s dementia was diagnosed, you may have interpreted the behavior you saw as inattention or disinterest. Now that you know, you can consider next steps, planning and the best ways to communicate with your loved one.

Caregiving begins with that first trip to the grocery store, that first autumn your dad can’t rake, that first time you have to drive your loved one. And calling yourself a caregiver—even if only when you’re with certain friends or only in your thoughts—is important. It’s a small way to remind yourself that you’re not alone.