At Senior Industry Services, we work with families, seniors, and professionals in the senior industry, so we see it all, from all perspectives. We know the stress that comes with having to navigate senior care or being the one to deliver care for seniors as a caregiver, whether that be in a professional environment or as a family (informal) caregiver. We often discuss caregiver burnout because we observe its prevalence in our own community and want to do everything possible to raise awareness and support efforts aimed at prevention.

In today’s blog post, we’ll focus on family caregivers, also known as informal caregivers, and explore how they can balance work, life, and caregiving responsibilities, as well as strategies to reduce the risk of burnout.

“Informal caregivers are a critical resource to their care recipients and an essential component of the health care system in the United States, yet their role and importance to society as a whole have only recently been appreciated. An informal caregiver, often a family member, provides care, typically unpaid, to someone with whom they have a personal relationship” (Schulz and Tompkins, 2010)

We are excited to partner with a guest expert for this blog post, Sharon Wagner, who works with Senior Friendly! Sharon is a former bank manager who now spends her time helping seniors reach health and well-being goals. She uses her site, Senior Friendly, to offer advice geared specifically toward seniors to help them make healthier choices and enjoy their golden years. She is also the author of the upcoming book, The Ultimate Guide to Senior-Friendly Workouts, Fitness Gear, Healthy Recipes, and More.

For family caregivers, also called informal caregivers, working a job while managing a hectic home life and effectively performing the tasks required of a caregiver can be overwhelming, to say the least. The days can feel like a constant tug-of-war between your differing responsibilities and duties. Trying to find a balance between these can be challenging, if not seemingly impossible. Caregivers can often feel like they’re running on fumes while trying to maintain a healthy balance between all of these tasks and duties, and it can lead to anxiety, depression, and eventual burnout.

Caregiver burnout can happen to even the best and most qualified and loving caregivers; it’s not a personal failure, or a sign that you’re not well-equipped to do the role, but rather a sign that you also need to take care of yourself. We cannot serve out of empty vessels, which is why self-care is so vital!

Luckily, you don’t have to try to perform a balancing act — we are here to help! For families across Central Texas, where the senior population has grown significantly in recent years, this challenge has become increasingly common. With the right mindset and a few clear priorities, though, we hope to help make caregiving feel more sustainable. Below, we’ll highlight some ways to help you achieve this.

Build Your Support Network

According to a study on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, burden, burnout, and stress in informal caregivers, it was found that approximately one in three caregivers would experience depression and/or anxiety, and almost one in two caregivers would experience caregiver burden. This is because caregivers spend a huge proportion of their time caring for their loved ones, which can inevitably lead to worsening of their mental health, as they are focusing all of their time and energy caring for others and neglecting self-care. Informal caregivers have a huge burden placed on them when fulfilling their role and can often feel a lack of support (2025).

This is exactly why having a tight-knit community and support system is so important, not just for caregivers, but for everyone! Humans are not solitary beings; we are meant to do life together and to help one another! One of the bravest, and often scariest, things we can do is ask for help! It might not always be easy, but it will always be worth it! We don’t have to try to navigate the stresses of life alone; there are an abundance of support options out there, whether it be therapy, a support group, or just spending time talking to a close friend. There are methods of unburdening yourself and helping lighten your load.

This might look like more practical help, too, not just having someone to vent to or get advice from, but someone to actually come alongside you and your loved one to help delegate tasks and lessen the duties that fall on your shoulders. 

One of the most important things a caregiver can do is stop trying to do everything alone. Start by writing down everyone who could help, such as family members, neighbors, friends, faith community contacts, and paid providers, then identify one specific task each person could take on. People are far more likely to say yes to a small, concrete request than a general ask for more help. 

Central Texas families also have access to several strong local resources, including us, Senior Industry Services, who serve as a resource hub for senior care resources and a great starting place to go for research or to have questions answered. Some other great options include: the Area Agency on Aging of Central Texas, which offers caregiver support, respite care, and companion services, and AGE of Central Texas, which provides programs and education to assist family caregivers who care for an older adult.

Talk to Your Employer

Many caregivers are reluctant to discuss their situation at work, but a straightforward conversation with a manager can help open doors. In an article on The Conversation Project by Christy Byrne Yates, a full-time school psychologist who was also raising two children and managing the care of her parents, both of whom had a form of dementia, says that clear communication, along with enhanced time and project management strategies, was critical to her well-being as a caregiver.

“Supporting family caregivers can benefit employers, as well. Family caregivers grow in skills such as problem-solving, time management, conflict management, and multi-tasking, which can be valuable in the workplace. Family caregivers who are supported by their companies often prove to be loyal and enthusiastic employees who boost retention rates, which can be attractive in recruiting new employees.” — Christy Byrne Yates, 2024

Christy’s article helps outline how to have this conversation with an employer or someone from your workplace. Here’s a brief overview of some of the points and questions to ask yourself and things to keep in mind as you prepare to talk to your employer:

1. What matters to you? 

• Why is it important to talk to someone at your workplace for support or accommodations?
• Are you looking for extra support or accommodations?
• Do you anticipate needing time away?

2. Make sure you mention the specific type of support and help you need:

• What specific supports would help you (and other caregiving employees) at this time?
• Empathy for the intense emotional load
• Recognition that caregiving is often temporary but intense
• Employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Support groups
• Remote work or hybrid opportunities
• Flexible work schedule
• Ability to make personal calls at work during lunch or breaks
• Ability to periodically attend virtual meetings
• Temporary reduction in work hours as needed

3. Set up a time to talk and ask questions.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that applies to all public agencies, all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and private sector companies with 50 or more employees.

It guarantees:

• Up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave (can be taken intermittently or all at once)
• Continuation of health insurance
• The right to return to the same position, or an equivalent position
• For military families, up to 26 weeks of leave within a 12-month period to care for an eligible service member
• The right to pay increases that occurred during the leave

You might ask:

• How is FMLA managed at my company?
  • Is this paid? (Some companies provide paid leave)
  • If I take FMLA intermittently – split up the federally guaranteed 12 weeks into several leaves – how will that be tracked?
• What does this company provide in terms of support?

Some companies offer employee-led, voluntary groups to support employees who have a particular need or identity, either virtually or in person, such as:

• Employee resource groups (ERGs): ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups within a company that are based on shared interests, identities, or life experiences. For example, caregivers, parents, age groups, disability, military families, etc.
• Affinity groups: Similar to ERGs, affinity groups are often formed as safe spaces for people who identify with an underrepresented group, such as gender, race, or ethnicity.
• Community resource materials, such as periodic lunch talks with community groups that provide services.

Asking your employer for what you need is an important part of being a good caregiver for another, as well as caring effectively for yourself. Changes in your work don’t have to be drastic; they could be minor changes to things like the start or end time of your shift, a protected block for appointments, or one remote day per week. These small changes can help make a huge difference when navigating working a full-time job whilst also being a family caregiver. Be sure to come prepared with questions and information to ensure how you’ll cover your responsibilities and frame it as a trial opportunity. More often than not, once a flexible arrangement is working, it becomes permanent.

Stay Organized With a Simple System

When caregiving and work overlap, small tasks have a way of multiplying. Staying organized can seem impossible with such an overflowing plate. This is why staying organized and keeping a system to help you do so is extremely helpful! Finding ways to help organize both your personal life and your responsibilities as a caregiver can help give your overflowing plate a little bit more space, or at least make it easier to digest. Here are some tips to help lead an organized life and reduce stress as a caregiver, simply: 

1. Make a routine: You likely already have a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule for your loved one’s care. From everyday chores to critical tasks, routinely assessing and modifying these routines can help you save time and energy. That’s why this suggestion is one of the most important organizational tips for caregivers.
2. Set up a system for medication management: maintain a consistent schedule for medications and keep extras on hand just in case.
3. Keep a journal, or two! Journaling is great for navigating difficult emotions and is very therapeutic. It can also be used to help monitor your loved one's condition and symptoms and make note of any concerns or changes to health to ask about at future appointments.
4. Keep a to-do list/checklist. You can even add three sections, such as "Must do," "Nice to do," and "If there's time.” This can help make the “invisible” work or tasks visible and help prevent things from slipping through the cracks. 

It also helps to batch caregiving tasks, such as phone calls, getting prescription refills, and appointment scheduling, into two short, focused sessions each week rather than letting these tasks interrupt everything else throughout the day. Making sure to dedicate time to all that needs to be done, for caregiving, work, and your personal life, can help give you more peace of mind and separation between the different aspects of your life.

It’s okay to not do everything perfectly or neatly; a life with some mess and clutter is often a life well-lived. Identify tasks you can delegate or receive help with. Prioritize what’s most important and accept that some things can wait. Establishing a routine can make caregiving feel more manageable. Schedule time for caregiving tasks, personal obligations, and moments for self-care, ensuring all areas of your life are given attention. Use tools like calendars or caregiving apps to track appointments, medications, and tasks. Staying organized reduces stress and helps you feel more in control. (Healey, 2025)

Some Important Tips:

Digitize Your Important Documents

Scattered paperwork is the last thing anyone needs in a caregiving emergency. Pulling together medical records, insurance information, legal documents, and emergency contacts into one organized digital folder means a family member or backup caregiver can find what they need without hunting through piles of paper. Having paper copies of documents isn’t a bad thing, but sometimes they can get misplaced or damaged, so it’s just a good idea to have digital copies available that can be easily shared or printed when needed.

Make Self-Care Non-Negotiable

Self-care isn't a reward; it's maintenance. Caregiver burnout is real, and the effects accumulate gradually; recognizing the signs early is crucial. You may be experiencing caregiver burnout if you notice:

• Exhaustion: Constant fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.

• Irritability: Feeling more short-tempered or frustrated than usual.

• Withdrawal: Pulling away from friends, family, or activities you once enjoyed.

• Declining health: Frequent illness or physical pain, like headaches or backaches.

• Hopelessness: Feeling like you’re stuck or that your efforts aren’t making a difference.

The key is choosing habits that fit into real life rather than adding pressure. A 10-minute walk, practicing meditation, or stepping outside at lunch for some fresh air can make a big difference over time. Put one small daily reset reminder on your calendar like an appointment, to remind yourself to take time to care for yourself, in whatever way that might look like. If you need some ideas on how to properly practice self-care, we have a great blog post highlighting what caregiver burnout looks like and how to tell if it’s time for extra support. We also highlight the areas of self-care and what it looks like to implement them in your daily life.

When Caregiving Becomes Too Much: 9 Signs It’s Time for Extra Support: https://seniorindustryservices.com/2026/01/30/when-caregiving-becomes-too-much-9-signs-its-time-for-extra-support/

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is a simple but effective tool. As we mentioned earlier, journaling is therapeutic as you can work through and release troubling emotions. You can also practice gratitude and write down happy memories or things you’re grateful for. This helps shift focus toward the small joys that are easy to overlook when life feels relentless. 

Gratitude involves appreciating those moments and using them to stay positive and open to life's possibilities, allowing you to fully enjoy the present rather than being consumed by what's still on your to-do list. Research consistently links a positive mindset with lower stress and greater emotional resilience, both of which matter enormously for the long haul of caregiving.

Know When to Bring in Professional Help

There's no shame in hiring professional support, and doing so often protects the quality of care your loved one receives. Start with a narrow, high-impact task, like bathing support twice a week, a few hours of respite on weekends, or medication reminders, and assess from there. Being clear about what good help looks like from the start makes it easier to address any issues early. Needing additional help caring for your loved one is okay! In fact, even getting help with small things to help lighten your load can make a big difference in the long run. It may be hard to leave your loved one in someone else's care, but taking a break can be one of the best things you do for yourself and the person you're caring for.

Balancing a job, a home, family responsibilities, personal responsibilities, and senior care is hard. But balance doesn't come from doing everything perfectly; it comes from making small, realistic choices consistently, leaning on available support, and practicing self-care along the way. By seeking appropriate help and implementing effective support strategies, you can maintain a healthier work-life balance and continue to provide quality care for your loved one. You aren’t alone. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help!

If you need help or guidance in managing the care of your loved one, we are here to help! Senior Industry Services is proud to work together to make Central Texas the best place for seniors to age. Whether you need help finding respite care or navigating senior care options, we are here for you! Senior Industry Services is powered by Oasis Senior Advisors and works with experts in the Central Texas region to bring you expert guidance and care. Don’t hesitate to reach out to someone at Senior Industry Services (SIS) or Oasis if you have any questions! We are here for you!

A special thanks again to Sharon Wagner with Senior Friendly for partnering with us on this week’s blog post!

Written for Senior Industry Services by Lauren Hope Bartling

References:

12 simple organization tips for Caregivers. MeetCaregivers. (2023, January 23). https://meetcaregivers.com/simple-organization-tips-for-caregivers/ 

Byrne Yates, C. (2024, October 25). How to talk to your employer about your caregiving responsibilities. The Conversation Project. https://theconversationproject.org/tcp-blog/employee-caregiver-resources/ 

Carpenter, C. (2024, August 14). I have a job and I’m the caregiver for my loved one. Caregiver Action Network. https://www.caregiveraction.org/i-have-job-and-im-caregiver-my-loved-one/ 

Healey, J. (2025, June 3). Balancing caregiving and your life: Tips for avoiding burnout. Senior TLC. https://www.seniortlc.org/post/balancing-caregiving-and-your-life-tips-for-avoiding-burnout 

Home, seniorfriendly.info. Seniorfriendly.info. (n.d.). https://seniorfriendly.info/ 

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.). Caregiver stress: Tips for taking care of yourself. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784 

Schulz, R., & Tompkins, C. A. National Research Council (US) Committee on the Role of Human Factors in Home Health Care. (2010). Informal caregivers in the United States: Prevalence, caregiver characteristics, and ability to provide care. The Role of Human Factors in Home Health Care: Workshop Summary. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK210048/ 

Xun Ci Soh, Andree Hartanto, Naoki Ling, Mary Reyes, Lester Sim, Nadyanna M. Majeed, Prevalence of depression, anxiety, burden, burnout, and stress in informal caregivers: An umbrella review of meta-analyses, Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus, Volume 2, Issue 3, 2025, 100197, ISSN 2950-3078, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aggp.2025.100197. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307825000785)