The way you view your role makes a big difference For some of us, middle age brings new opportunities — career reinvention, an empty nest, and time to pursue new interests. For millions of others, it brings the daunting and awkward responsibility of caring for an ailing parent. Nearly 10 million adults over age 50 give full- or part-time care to their parents in the United States, and their numbers are growing. As a recent paper in the academic journal The Geronotlogist put it, “the longevity of the relationships that baby boomers have with their parents and siblings is unprecedented,” and the generation “will witness unprecedented numbers of people who both provide care to the generation that preceded them and require care from the generation that will follow.” The role of caregiver is as old as human history. But today, as several experts in family caregiving have discovered, how you identify yourself — as a “caregiver” or a “good child” who is “helping Mom out” — can make a crucial difference in how the role affects you. Why Your Identification Matters “Caregiving means caring for both your loved one and yourself, so the health and well-being of two people are at stake when caregivers do not self-identify,” says Next Avenue columnist Sherri Snelling, chief executive of the Caregiving Club. When you don’t think of yourself as a caregiver, you may fail to take advantage of a range of support services available to help you manage the role. “Employers, community agencies, national organizations, and local and federal government offer services to help caregivers, but first you have to know you are one. By speaking up and saying ‘I’m a caregiver’ you will find resources that can help you care for...
