"One of the biggest dilemmas for people in the field of caregiving and for grassroots organizations has been how to reach family caregivers. The majority of family caregivers don't self-identify. They don't know that they are caregivers." Most family members who help older people don't see themselves as caregivers. Yet a caregiver is anyone who helps an older person with household chores, errands, personal care, or finances. You are a caregiver if you do any of these things. You are a family caregiver if you help someone who cannot do or is limited from doing any of these things for him/herself.

• Drive an older family member to and from medical appointments.
• Communicate with health care professionals.
• Contact community service organizations such as Meals on Wheels.
• Help arrange for home health care or hospice services.
• Assist someone to pay bills.
• Help someone clean his/her home or arrange for housecleaning.
• Do home repairs or arrange for someone else to do so.
• Do yard work or hire someone else to do so.