The Caregiver Burden Spot

Category: Resource Spotlight

  • 5 Free Resources From the NIA That Help Reduce Caregiver Stress

    Support for Family Caregivers at the Breaking Point: Rachel’s Story

    Family caregiver reads to loved one.
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    Every morning before sunrise, Rachel brews a pot of coffee and gently wakes her father, Frank. At 78 years old, Frank is still charming, but slowly fading into the fog of dementia. Once a school principal who never forgot a name, Frank now struggles to remember Rachel’s. She helps him bathe, eat and stay calm during his bouts of confusion.

    Rachel does this all while raising two teens and working part-time from home.

    One day, her dad wandered away from home and couldn’t find his way back. Rachel sat on the porch in tears. She realized that just her love for her dad wasn’t enough. She needed real tools, support and knowledge to carry on her caregiving without breaking.

    Later that evening, she found a government website with step-by-step tips for caring for someone with dementia. She felt a wave of relief. For the first time in weeks, she slept through the night.

    If you’re a caregiver like Rachel, ask yourself: Where do you turn for reliable, calming guidance when the stress feels too heavy?

    Caregiver Resources Spotlight: National Institute on Aging

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    Designed by Freepik.

    Caring for an aging loved one is a big job. Between doctor’s appointments, meals, medications and emotional support, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and experience burnout. But you’re not alone. The National Institute on Aging, or NIA, offers trusted, free resources to guide and support caregivers like you.

    Let’s look at five simple ways you can use the NIA website to ease your caregiver burden and keep helping your loved one age with dignity.

    1. Get started with confidence.

    Starting your caregiving journey can be confusing. The NIA’s Getting Started with Caregiving section is a great first step. It explains what caregiving is, what tasks may be involved and how to prepare yourself for the role.

    You’ll find guidance on:

    • What to expect when caring for a parent or spouse.
    • How to manage medical appointments and medications.
    • Setting up a care plan.

    Using this page can help you build a strong foundation and feel more prepared.

    2. Learn how to take care of yourself too.

    Caregivers often forget to care for themselves. The NIA reminds us that your well-being matters too. Their self-care advice includes tips on managing stress, getting rest and staying connected with others.

    They even offer a free Caregiver’s Handbook that addresses:

    • Dealing with burnout.
    • Asking for help.
    • Sharing caregiving responsibilities with others.

    Reading just one article could give you a new idea that lightens your load.

    3. Explore health and aging topics.

    Aging couple exercises.
    Designed by Freepik.

    Whether your loved one has diabetes, dementia or just needs help staying active, the NIA covers it all. Their AgePage fact sheets are short and easy to read. Topics include:

    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Falls and safety at home
    • Planning for future care

    There’s also a special section on healthy aging, which encourages:

    • Exercise and movement
    • Healthy eating
    • Staying social and independent

    You can print or bookmark the pages you need. Most are available in Spanish too.

    4. Find help for Alzheimer’s and memory loss.

    If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another memory condition, check out the NIA’s Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral, or ADEAR, Center. It offers reliable answers to your hardest questions.

    You can:

    • Read guides on how to manage behavior and safety.
    • Learn what to expect in each stage of dementia.
    • Call or email their support team for help.

    This resource is a must for caregivers navigating memory loss.

    5. Order free NIA publications for home delivery.

    Many of the NIA’s helpful online guides are also available to order in print — for free! You can order booklets, tip sheets and DVDs to keep on hand or share with others. They even offer materials in Spanish and formats that are easy for older adults to read .

    To order, you can call 1-800-222-2225 or visit https://order.nia.nih.gov/.

    You’re not alone in this journey.

    Family caregiver interacts with loved one.
    Designed by Freepik.

    The NIA is a trusted partner for caregivers. From beginner tips to disease-specific help, they offer real support backed by science and heart. And it’s all free.

    Let the NIA lighten your caregiving load — one resource at a time.

    National Institute on Aging Resources FAQ

    1. What is the National Institute on Aging, NIA?

    It’s a government agency that shares research and resources on aging and caregiving. Their website is full of free tools for families.

    2. How do I start caregiving for a loved one?

    Start by reading the NIA’s “Getting Started with Caregiving” section to understand the basics and create a care plan.

    3. Does the NIA website offer help for caregivers dealing with Alzheimer’s?

    Yes. The NIA’s ADEAR Center offers advice, guides and direct support for Alzheimer’s caregivers.

    4. Can I get printed materials from the NIA?

    Yes. You can order booklets and tip sheets online or by phone, and they ship for free in the U.S.

    5. Are these resources available in Spanish?

    Many are available in Spanish. To explore Spanish-language materials, just visit www.nia.nih.gov/espanol.

  • How to Research Benefits for Your Loved One Using BenefitsCheckUp

    Young woman researching benefits programs online

    An Eye-Opening Caregiver Moment

    In 2012, I faced a stressful caregiving challenge with one of my aging siblings. He was legally blind, financially challenged and he lived alone. I knew he had to qualify for some benefits programs, but I was overwhelmed with the question of where to start in getting him some help.

    A short time later, I received a random email about a government website that would help me up my caregiving game. Here’s the 411.

    Finding Benefits Programs for Aging Loved Ones

    Caring for an aging loved one or someone with a disability can be overwhelming. Many families don’t realize there are helpful senior benefits and programs available that can ease financial stress. These programs can help cover costs like food, medicine, housing, health care and utilities.

    One of the best tools for finding these resources is BenefitsCheckUp. It’s a free service created by the National Council on Aging, or NCOA. This easy-to-use tool helps connect older adults with benefit programs in their area.

    In this post, I’ll walk you through how to use BenefitsCheckUp to find support for your loved one. Whether you’re looking for food assistance or help paying for prescriptions, this guide can help you get started, because managing caregiver stress is important.

    Getting Started with Benefits Programs Research

    Blog Post Recap Video

    What BenefitsCheckUp Does

    BenefitsCheckUp was designed to help people over 60 and those with disabilities find the help they may qualify for. Millions of older adults miss out on support simply because they don’t know what’s available. This tool connects users with over 2,500 public and private benefits programs across the country.

    Some examples of benefits it can help you identify include:

    • Food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP
    • Help paying for prescription medications
    • Health care savings through Medicare programs
    • Utility bill assistance
    • Support with housing or rent

    These programs are often based on income, household size, or medical need. BenefitsCheckUp helps you figure out which ones your loved one may be eligible for — without having to search each one individually.

    How the Screening Process Works

    Start by going to benefitscheckup.org and entering your ZIP code. This allows the tool to show only the programs available in your loved one’s area. You can then answer a few questions about their age, income, medical expenses and other basic information.

    After answering the questions, you’ll receive a free, personalized report. This report outlines the benefit programs they may qualify for and what steps to take next. You can even email the report to yourself or download it as a PDF to share with family members or caregivers.

    Visit BenefitsCheckUp and start the screening today. It takes just a few minutes and could help your loved one save money and get the help they need.

    Navigating the Application Process

    Reviewing and Using Eligibility Results

    Once you complete the screening on BenefitsCheckUp, you’ll get a personalized results report. This report shows which benefits programs your loved one may qualify for and how to apply. It includes:

    • Names of programs and a short description of each
    • Eligibility status—whether your loved one likely qualifies
    • Links to apply online or download application forms
    • Contact information for the agency offering the benefit

    The tool gives you choices. You can apply online directly through an agency’s website, call them for more information, or print forms to send by mail. You can also save the report to your device or print it out for later use.

    This step helps you move from research to action—so your loved one can start getting the help they need.

    Types of Benefits Programs Available

    Pills spell medicine
    Image by Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pixabay

    BenefitsCheckUp connects you to a wide range of senior benefits. Here are some of the most common programs available:

    • SNAP — Helps pay for groceries
    • Medicare Savings Programs — Lowers Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs
    • Prescription Assistance — Offers discounts, rebates and coupons for medications
    • Utility Bill Support — Helps with home heating and cooling costs
    • Housing and Rental Aid — Assists with rent or finding affordable housing options

    You can explore different categories based on your loved one’s needs. The tool organizes options into easy sections like “Food & Nutrition,” “Health Care,” “Housing,” and “Income Assistance.”

    Go back to your report and check which programs matter most to your loved one. Choose one or two and follow the steps to apply right away.

    Practical Tips and Support

    Is BenefitsCheckUp legit?

    Still sounds too good to be true, huh?

    If this is your first time using BenefitsCheckUp, you probably have questions. Here are a few of the most common ones.

    • Is BenefitsCheckUp free? Yes, it’s 100% free to use. There are no hidden costs or fees.
    • Is my information safe? Yes. The site is private and confidential. Your answers are not shared without your permission.
    • Can I apply directly on the website? For most programs, no. But the site gives you direct links to the official applications or tells you how to apply.
    • Can I use the tool for someone else? Yes! You can answer the questions for your parent, grandparent or other loved one. Just be sure the answers apply to their specific situation.

    BenefitsCheckUp makes the process simple and stress-free. You don’t need to be an expert in benefits programs — just follow the steps and the tool does the hard work.

    Getting Personalized Help

    Tiles spell support
    Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay

    Still think you need more help? BenefitsCheckUp offers several ways to get personal support if you’re unsure about the next steps:

    • Live Chat — Use the “Chat With Us” button to talk to a support person online.
    • Phone Support — Call the hotline at 1-800-794-6559 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET).
    • In-Person Help — Visit a local Benefits Enrollment Center to speak with someone face-to-face.

    These options are great if you’re helping a loved one who isn’t tech-savvy or if you need guidance through the application process. You can also ask about special cases, like support for disabled individuals or grandparents raising grandchildren.

    If you’re stuck or unsure about the results, don’t hesitate. Use the chat or call the hotline to get friendly, expert help.

    Take the first step in researching benefits programs.

    Supporting a loved one through aging or health challenges is hard, but finding financial help shouldn’t be. Thanks to BenefitsCheckUp, researching senior benefits has never been easier. Within a few minutes, you can find out what help is available and how to get it for yourself or your loved one.

    I did.

    Whether you’re looking for food assistance, prescription savings or help with housing, this tool brings valuable benefits programs to your fingertips. Take the first step today and empower your loved one to live with dignity, security and peace of mind.

    To get started, visit BenefitsCheckUp.org.

    BenefitsCheckUp FAQ

    What types of senior benefits can I find using BenefitsCheckUp?

    BenefitsCheckUp helps you find many kinds of support, including food assistance, help with medical bills, prescription savings, utility bill support and housing programs. It’s designed to match older adults with the benefits programs they may qualify for based on where they live.

    Can I use BenefitsCheckUp for someone else, like my parent or grandparent?

    Yes, you can! If you’re helping a loved one, just answer the questions based on their personal information. This is a great way to support someone who may not be comfortable using the internet.

    Do I need to give my Social Security number or personal documents?

    No, BenefitsCheckUp does not ask for your Social Security number. The tool keeps your information private and does not require documents to do a benefits screening. However, the agency you apply to may ask for this later during the application process.

    Is BenefitsCheckUp only for people over 65?

    BenefitsCheckUp is mainly for adults age 60 and older, but some benefits programs listed do not have age limits. People with disabilities and certain low-income households may also qualify for support through the site.

    What if my loved one doesn’t use a computer — how can they get help?

    No problem. You can call the BenefitsCheckUp support line at 1-800-794-6559 to speak with someone directly. You can also visit a local Benefits Enrollment Center to get help in person.