The Lasting Weight of Care: Honoring Women Caregivers

I want to acknowledge my friend Theresa. She is a loving, kind woman who cared for her husband through years of illness. After his passing, she stepped forward again to care for her brother. Theresa has given so much of herself — to her family, to her community, and to everyone who knows her.

Her story is not hers alone. It reflects the experience of countless women who are called, often again and again, to step into caregiving roles. Behind every diagnosis, every hospital stay, every long night, there is often a woman quietly carrying the weight.

🌻 Why This Matters During Prostate Cancer Awareness Week

Prostate cancer doesn’t just affect the man who receives the diagnosis. Wives, partners, sisters, and daughters often become caregivers — sometimes for months, sometimes for years. Many, like Theresa, will continue caregiving again and again across their lifetime.

Supporting caregivers is not separate from prostate cancer awareness. It is part of the same fight.

🌿 The Bigger Picture

Caregivers are the backbone of our healthcare system. Research shows:

Women make up nearly two-thirds of all unpaid caregivers in the U.S.
Between 40% and 70% of caregivers experience symptoms of depression.
Women caregivers are more likely to delay their own doctor visits, skip screenings, and live with higher risks of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and even earlier mortality.
Those providing more than 36 hours of care each week face dramatically higher risks of anxiety, depression, and physical illness.
Stress and health consequences can linger even after caregiving for one loved one ends.

Caregivers give their hearts — but too often, their own health pays the price.

🌻 Caregiver Self-Check: Where Have You Put Yourself on Hold?

As a caregiver, you may have put yourself on hold in ways you didn’t even notice. The first step back is noticing. The next step is taking one small action.

Where caregivers often press pause:

Physical health — skipped appointments, ignored symptoms, poor sleep, or missed exercise.
Emotional well-being — stress, anxiety, guilt, or emotional numbness.
Social life & hobbies — lost time with friends or activities you once enjoyed.
Relationships — strained connections with partners, children, or friends.
Identity — feeling like “just a caregiver,” with career or dreams on hold.
Finances — savings paused, debt increased.

One small step back toward you could be:

Schedule one health appointment.
Write down one thing you did well today.
Send a short message to a friend.
Practice saying “no” once this week.
Look up one caregiver support group.

🌿 Reflection: A Pause for You

Even five minutes of reflection can help you reconnect with yourself:

What part of me feels most neglected right now — my body, my emotions, or my relationships?
What’s one small thing I can do tomorrow to tend to that part?
Who could I ask for even a small bit of help?

This reflection is not about judgment. It is about listening to yourself, the way you so faithfully listen to your loved one.

🌻 The Caregiver Stress Calendar

At the end of each day, give your stress a number from 1 to 10:

1 = calm, manageable day
10 = overwhelming day (exhaustion, anxiety, no reserves left)

At the end of the month, look back:

If your calendar shows many 8–10 days, it may be time to reach for more support.
If you see more 1–5 days, celebrate the balance you’ve been able to keep.

📌 When stress runs high, consider:

Talking to your doctor about caregiver stress or depression.
Contacting the Family Caregiver Alliance (caregiver.org).
Calling Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 for respite services near you.
Joining a caregiver support group, in person or online.
Exploring respite options: in-home aides, adult day centers, or short-term stays.

🌼 Closing: Honoring Theresa and All Women Caregivers

Theresa’s story is one of love, resilience, and quiet strength. She represents so many women who dedicate years of their lives to caring for others while asking little for themselves. During Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, I honor her — and all women who take on this work again and again.

Caring for yourself is not selfish. It is essential. When we honor caregivers, we strengthen families and communities. 🌻

✨ Free Tool for You to Download Below: