Why this site exists

Most caregiving content online is one of two things: a brand trying to sell you a service, or a wellness essay that tells you to “cherish every moment.” Neither is much use at 11pm when you’re trying to figure out whether your mother needs a power of attorney or a guardian, or whether the discharge planner is actually on your side.

CareHelper is the resource we wished we had: practical, specific, willing to name the ugly parts. Burnout is real. Guilt is real. So is the way the American eldercare system forces middle-aged adult children to become unpaid case managers overnight.

How we write

Plain language. Specifics over slogans. We name the trade-offs and the costs. When we say something is hard or unfair, we’re saying it because it is, not for effect.

Where we cite professionals — geriatricians, elder-law attorneys, social workers, therapists who specialize in caregiver burnout — we try to attribute clearly. Where we’re sharing our own experience or the experience of caregivers we know, we say so.

What we’re not

We’re not a service. We don’t place aides, sell insurance, or refer to facilities for a fee. We’re not your doctor, lawyer, or financial planner. For the decisions that matter, we’ll keep telling you to find a professional who knows your situation — ideally one who isn’t selling you something on the same call.

If you want to reach us

We don’t have a contact form yet. If you have a question you wish someone would answer plainly, or a piece of advice that helped you and might help another reader, write to us at [email protected]. We read everything; we can’t always reply.