(Better Business Bureau )
This article was prepared for BBB Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Coastal California by Caring Haven, LLC, a BBB Accredited Business.
Every day, across our neighborhoods, millions of family caregivers are quietly performing one of the most selfless jobs imaginable. They care for aging parents, partners with chronic illness, or children with special needs. They juggle medications, doctor visits, late-night emergencies, and emotional breakdowns. Many do all of this while holding down full-time jobs, managing households, and raising children. Most do it with no pay, no training, and very little support.
Being in spaces surrounded by caregivers, I hear their stories daily. The mom sleeping in a chair next to her daughter’s hospital bed. The adult son who drives across town every day after work to check on his father with dementia. The wife who has not had a day off in years but feels guilty asking for help. These are not rare stories. They are the norm. So why don’t we talk about this more? Because caregivers often suffer in silence. They are praised for being strong, but strength is not the absence of exhaustion. And while they may not ask for help, they need it more than ever.
The hidden costs of caregiving
Caregiving can affect every part of a person’s life:
- Emotional: Increased risk of depression, anxiety, and burnout
- Financial: Lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, and reduced work hours
- Physical: Chronic stress, fatigue, and neglect of their own health
- Social: Isolation and a loss of connection with friends and community
What can businesses and communities do?
- Offer flexible work policies: Employers can make a real difference by offering caregiver leave, flexible schedules, or remote options when possible.
- Recognize caregivers as consumers: Many caregivers are decision-makers for their families. Show empathy in your marketing, customer service, and product design.
- Support local resources: Partner with or donate to organizations that provide respite care, caregiver education, or emotional support. Organizations like Caregiver OneCall, our 24/7 hotline and training program, are lifelines.
- Create safe spaces: If you run a business, consider how your staff can be trained to better serve caregivers. Simple gestures like patience, a listening ear, or offering a seat can go a long way.
- Talk about it: Normalize caregiving in workplace conversations and community events. Ask employees or customers how they are doing. Not just in business, but in life.
A call for compassion
Caregivers are everywhere. Often, you will not know who they are until they are at a breaking point. Let us not wait until then. Let us create a world where caregiving is not a hidden sacrifice but a visible act of love. One that is respected, supported, and shared. If you know a caregiver, do not just say, “Let me know if you need anything.” Say, “I see you. You are not alone,” and if you are a caregiver reading this, know that help exists. Reach out. You deserve care too.
The Better Business Bureau Serving The San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California thanks Caring Haven, LLC for submitting this guest blog.