Caregiving: The Threads that Bind Us

February 20, 2026, is National Caregivers Day, a time to celebrate the unsung heroes among us - family, friends, and professional caregivers who provide physical and emotional support to those with chronic conditions, disabilities, and age-related needs.

It’s also a good time to rethink what “Caregiving” really means.  

I’ve been a caregiver to my daughter for nine years now, and I’ve grown to appreciate that it's not just another responsibility on my to-do list – it’s life-changing. I love what former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a tireless champion for caregivers, had to say about the topic: “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

Think about that for a moment - it isn’t some specialized role reserved for the chosen few—caregiving is woven into the fabric of being human. It’s the norm.

We’ve either been caregivers (yes, raising children counts). We’re in the thick of it now.  We are future caregivers – even though we might not realize it yet. Or we are in the most humbling of the four categories – we’ll need caregivers at some point. Barring sudden death, our ability to care for ourselves declines with age, illness, or accidents, so most of us end up in this category.

Nobody likes to talk about it, but here's the undeniable truth: we all enter this world completely helpless, and many of us will leave it the same way.  In between time, some of us are called upon to care for others. This alone should motivate you to do two things: reshape your thinking about caregivers; and prioritize selfcare.

One of the transformative gifts of Gratitude is creativity, and I’ve learned to use it to turn caregiving into a team effort where my daughter and I experience small wins, one day at a time. So this week, I'm offering you two small change Takeaways:

If you’re a caregiver, selfcare is essential to your health, and it goes beyond your physical health. -your emotional resilience, social connections, mental clarity, financial stability, and spiritual well-being all matter. If you need some practical guidance, check out these 10 Tips for Family Caregivers: Balancing Caregiving and Self-Care: https://www.caregiveraction.org/10-tips-family-caregivers/

Not currently in a caregiving situation, but want to honor someone who is? Or maybe you’re ready to show appreciation for a caregiver who’s made a difference in your life? Here are 10 Ways to Recognize a Caregiver: https://careforth.com/blog/ways-to-support-a-caregiver/

Make the small change; Be Well!

Want to share more small change Wellness Tips with a caregiver? Have them subscribe at https://www.myrtlerussell.com/contact-us.

Feeling overwhelmed as a caregiver, I can help. Contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com.