Family and emotions
Caregiver burnout: signs and free help, including in Spanish
Updated October 15, 2026 · Reviewed against official sources
You get up early to give the medicines, you work, you cook, you take your mom to the doctor, and at night you hear her coughing and can't sleep. Months go by, and you can't remember the last time you went out with a friend. If you see yourself in this, it isn't weakness: it's a real burden that many families carry in silence.
A burden that weighs more heavily on many Latino families
According to the Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 study by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, Hispanic caregivers spend an average of 26 hours a week caregiving, almost half (48%) live with the person they care for, and 49% are in high-intensity care situations. They also report more financial problems than non-Hispanic white caregivers. Nationwide, about 1 in 4 caregivers said caregiving had made their own health worse.
On top of that, there's the idea that "family is cared for at home" and the guilt of asking for help. Many people feel that resting means abandoning their loved one. It doesn't.
Signs you need a break
The Alzheimer's Association describes these signs of caregiver stress. They apply to anyone caring for an older person, not only someone with dementia:
- Denial about the disease or about how it's affecting your loved one.
- Anger or frustration toward the person you care for.
- Isolation: you pull away from friends and activities you used to enjoy.
- Anxiety about the future and about what each day will bring.
- Depression that keeps you from functioning.
- Exhaustion that makes daily tasks hard.
- Insomnia caused by worry.
- Irritability, mood swings and negative reactions.
- Trouble concentrating, forgetting appointments.
- Health problems, both physical and mental.
If you've had several of these signs for weeks, it's time to ask for support. You don't have to wait until you can't take it anymore.
When it's urgent
- If you're thinking about hurting yourself, feel you can't go on, or are afraid you might hurt the person you care for, call or text 988. To talk in Spanish, dial 988 and press 2, or text the word AYUDA to 988. It's free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.
- If you or your loved one is in immediate danger or has a medical emergency, call 911.
Talk with your doctor
Tell your doctor that you're a caregiver and how you're feeling. Tiredness, insomnia and sadness that doesn't go away can be signs of depression or other health problems that can be treated. Don't skip your own appointments, vaccines or medicines because you're taking care of your loved one.
Free help, including in Spanish
| Resource | What it offers | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| Eldercare Locator (federal government) | Connects you with your county's Area Agency on Aging: caregiver support, respite care, meals, transportation. If you prefer Spanish, ask for it when you call | 1-800-677-1116 (call or text, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time), eldercare.acl.gov |
| Area Agency on Aging (AAA) | National Family Caregiver Support Program: information, counseling, training, support groups and respite care. See help for family caregivers | Through the Eldercare Locator |
| Alzheimer's Association | Free helpline, 24 hours a day, every day, for families caring for someone with dementia; offers help in more than 200 languages | 800-272-3900 |
| 988 Lifeline | Support in an emotional crisis, including in Spanish | Dial 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988 |
Small steps that help
- Ask for specific help. Instead of "nobody helps me," ask a sibling for something specific, like staying with Mom on Saturday from 10 to 2. If there's tension, read how to talk to your siblings.
- Take a real break. Respite care lets you rest for a few hours or a few days. We explain how to get it in our post on respite care.
- Use daytime services. An adult day center or a few hours of care at home can give you time to work or rest.
- Take advantage of community programs: home-delivered meals, transportation, activities. See free programs for seniors.
- Join a support group, in person or online. Talking with other caregivers brings relief.
- Take care of the basics: sleep, eat, move a little every day and keep at least one activity you enjoy.
- Ask yourself whether care at home is still the best option. Sometimes your loved one's needs have grown beyond what one person can give. Learning about the options isn't giving up: see types of senior living and, if guilt weighs on you, the guilt of moving Mom into a care home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get paid to take care of my mom?
In some states, certain Medicaid programs allow a family member to be paid as a caregiver, for example IHSS in California or CDPAP in New York. The rules vary by state. We explain the options in home care for seniors.
Is it selfish to consider a care facility because I'm exhausted?
No. When your loved one's needs grow, a care facility can be the way for them to get care all day and for you to go back to being a son or daughter, not just a caregiver. Many families feel the relationship gets better. If you're thinking about it, read how to talk with Mom or Dad about moving.
Taking care of yourself is also taking care of your loved one. A rested person can be there for them better and for longer.
This post is for information only and doesn't replace care from a health professional.
Sources
- Alzheimer's Association, "Caregiver Stress": https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/caregiver-health/caregiver-stress (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Alzheimer's Association, 24/7 Helpline: https://www.alz.org/sandiego/support/resources/24-7-helpline (accessed October 15, 2026)
- AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving, Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 press release: https://www.aarp.org/press/releases/2020-6-17-new-study-reveals-unpaid-caregivers-in-america-grew-by-9-million-to-53-million.html (accessed October 15, 2026)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, "What to Expect": https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Eldercare Locator (ACL): https://eldercare.acl.gov/ (accessed October 15, 2026)
- ACL, "Help with Housing or Services" (Eldercare Locator hours): https://acl.gov/HousingandServices/FindHelp (accessed October 15, 2026)
This is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules vary by state and by year: confirm with the official agency that applies to you.
Keep reading
Respite care: how to take a few days off from caregiving
What respite care is, where it's offered, who can help pay for it (Medicaid, the VA, hospice), and how to ask for it without feeling guilty.
How to talk to your siblings about caring for Mom or Dad
How to hold a family meeting, divide tasks and costs based on what each sibling can give, and stay united while you care for Mom or Dad.
Free senior programs: meals, transportation and senior centers
Home-delivered meals, community meal sites, transportation and caregiver support: how to find free or low-cost programs for older adults.
Guilt about putting Mom in a nursing home: how to cope
If moving your mom to a nursing home feels like abandoning her, you're not alone. Why it weighs so heavily on Latino families and how to decide calmly.
