Sometimes, becoming a caregiver can be sudden and startling. And when you feel like you don't know where to start, taking on this life-changing responsibility can feel overwhelming. Here are some key things you can do to get your bearings and start providing the care and attention your loved one deserves.

As a family caregiver, you’re likely familiar with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). But did you know that the Massachusetts’ Paid Family and Medical Leave (MA PFML) law was enacted in 2018? It went into effect just last year, in 2021, and it’s one of the most generous in the country.

As we begin a new year, we do so while still dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to what you read most on this blog last year, your focus has been on your loved one’s mental health as well as your own, and how to support them.

“Family caregivers provide an unheralded service that is central to the structure of our families and society. Let’s honor them by acknowledging the magnitude of their role and advancing real solutions to lighten the load that they carry for us all.” -Richard Burke, president and CEO of Fallon Health

Over the years, the Caregiver Connection blog has had many posts about self-care for caregivers. In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, we’ve collected several of them for you here for easy reference.