Caring for Others: Resources to Help You
Are you looking for tips to help you with caregiving? You are not alone! FDA has resources to help you keep your loved ones as healthy as they can be.
Helping with Medicines and Medical Devices
Preparing Food Safely
Managing Other Concerns
Learning about Your Loved One’s Health Condition
Caring for Yourself
Helping with Medicines and Medical Devices
Many women and other family caregivers, like you, worry about making a medical mistake. These tips can help you keep your loved one safe and on track with their treatments.
- Keep a list of medicines for each person you care for. Include over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins and herbs. Keep this list with you at all times. Bring this list to doctor visits. Remember to ask any questions you may have.
- Give the right amount of medicine. Ask the healthcare provider how much medicine you should give and when you should give it. Use the measuring cup or device that comes with the medicine.
- Lock up medicines. Make sure medicines are taken by the person it was meant for. Keep medicines out of reach of children, teens and older adults who can harm themselves.
- Use home medical devices safely. Talk to a doctor about how to safely use medical devices. Ask the doctor to show you and your loved one how to use the device correctly.
More information on using medications and devices safely:
- Find information on a specific drug
- Learn how to read the label on over-the-counter drugs
- Medicines and You: A Guide for Older Adults
- Giving medicines to kids
- Do Teething Babies Need Medicine on Their Gums? No
- Tablet splitting
- How to be safe when buying drugs online
- Vaccines for Children-A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
- A safety guide for patient lifts
- Tips for using bed rails
- Using a hospital crib
- Facts about hearing aids
- Contact lens care
Preparing Food Safely
Those you care for may have a higher risk of getting sick from bad food. Ask your doctor if there are certain foods that you should not give to your loved one. Also, remember food safety when preparing meals.
- Basic steps for food safety
- Food safety tips for at-risk groups
- Food safety for pregnant women and new moms
- Food safety for older adults
- Food allergies
Managing Other Concerns
Use these resources to help overcome some common caregiving challenges.
- Preparing for emergencies
- Facts about the loss of bladder control
- Help with sleep problems
- Tips to avoid health scams
- What to ask a doctor before taking opioids
- How to report problems with medical products
Learning about Your Loved One's Health Condition
Read important tips on a variety of topics.
- Healthy Aging
- Diabetes
- HIV Treatment
- Cancer Treatment
- Tips for pregnant women and new moms
- Tips for families of people with disabilities
- Considering clinical trials
- Other women's health topics
Caring for Yourself
When caring for someone else, it is easy to forget your own needs. Remember to take time to care for your own health. Use these tips to help you stay healthy for those who need you.
- Schedule your mammogram. Find a location near you.
- Talk to your doctor about feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Learn how to manage caregiver stress.
Caring for Others: Tips for Medicines and Devices – Partner Toolkit
Use the Partner Toolkit to connect caregivers in your community to resources to help them manage the care of their loved ones. This toolkit provides resources that you and your networks can use to help support caregivers, including sample social media messages and graphics.
Caring for Others Social Media Toolkit (PDF, 1 MB)
Other Caregiving Resources
- AARP Caregiving Website
- Family Caregiver Alliance
- Go4Life - National Institute on Aging
- Administration for Community Living