Nancy Ranalli is the director of community outreach and assistive technology for Easterseals.
“I’m just helping Mom with her groceries.”
“I take Dad to his medical appointments.”
“I help my husband get ready for the day by setting out his medications, picking out his clothes and making sure he has everything he needs.”
For many people, these statements describe ordinary acts of love and family responsibility. They don’t necessarily see themselves as caregivers. They’re simply helping someone they love.
But what happens when helping with groceries becomes managing medications, coordinating appointments and assisting with daily activities? What begins as “helping out” becomes a significant responsibility — one that affects a person’s time, finances, relationships and health. Many times, the person providing that help doesn’t realize they’re a caregiver until they’re already deep into the role.
November’s National Family Caregivers Month is an opportunity to recognize the millions of people who care for family members and friends, including those who may never call themselves “caregivers.” It’s also a reminder that none of us can predict when someone we love might need additional support — or when we might need help providing it.
According to the 2025 Caring Across States report by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, about 197,000 Delaware adults provide care to older adults or individuals with health conditions or disabilities. This represents nearly 1 in 4 adults in our state and includes both paid and unpaid family caregivers.
Behind that number are people balancing jobs, raising children, managing households and tending to their own needs, while helping someone else navigate everyday life. Some provide intensive, around-the-clock care.
Often, people who don’t identify as caregivers may not know to look for resources. People who earn too much to qualify for income-based assistance may assume that no resources are available to them. They may not realize that support groups, educational workshops, respite services and other programs can help them long before they reach their breaking points.
By the time some families begin looking for help, their responsibilities have grown, their options may feel limited, and exhaustion has begun to set in. A new diagnosis, a fall, a change in mobility or the progression of dementia can quickly alter a family’s routine. But families don’t have to wait for a crisis to start learning about their options.
At Easterseals, we encourage families to think about support as part of the caregiving journey — not something to seek only when circumstances become overwhelming. That support can begin with a simple conversation. Through our Caregiver Resource Center, case managers help families explore services and identify resources that may meet their needs. Monthly Caregiver Support Groups offer opportunities to share experiences and learn from others who understand the challenges.
Easterseals’ Adult Day Health Services provide individualized care and engaging activities in a safe setting, giving family members time to work, attend appointments, run errands or recharge. Personal Attendant Services and respite resources may offer additional ways to support individuals and the people who care for them.
For families exploring ways to make everyday activities safer and easier, Easterseals’ Resource & Technology Demonstration Center features hundreds of adaptive devices. Staff can help visitors understand how different products may meet their needs and where to purchase them. Through our FYI: Finance Your Independence program, families can also explore lower-interest financing options for qualifying assistive technology and accessibility needs. Our Moments of Rest grant program can help eligible caregivers cover the cost of temporary respite care.
If someone you know regularly helps an aging parent, a spouse with a chronic illness or a child with a disability, recognize that their responsibilities may extend beyond what you see. Offer something specific: to pick up groceries, provide transportation, research a service or spend time with their loved one, so they can take a break. And ask how they’re doing — not just how the person receiving care is doing.
National Family Caregivers Month is a time to celebrate the compassion and commitment that sustain families and communities. It’s also an opportunity to change how we think about caregiving. We may not know when someone we love will need more help. We can, however, learn where to turn, ask questions early and make support a normal part of caring for one another. Because you don’t have to wait until you call yourself a caregiver to get the support you deserve.
To learn more about Easterseals’ caregiver resources, contact the Caregiver Resource Center at resources@esdel.org or 302-221-2291.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
