What is a Caregiver?

You might already be a caregiver—here’s what that can look like

A caregiver is anyone who helps another person manage their health, daily needs, or overall well-being—often without pay. You might be a caregiver if you:
  • Help a family member, partner, friend, or neighbor with everyday tasks
  • Coordinate or attend medical appointments
  • Manage medications or health-related needs
  • Provide emotional support, check-ins, or advocacy
  • Assist with household responsibilities or transportation
  • Step in regularly because someone relies on you
If you see yourself in any of these roles, you can identify as a family caregiver—even if you’ve never used that term before. Caregiving looks different for everyone, but every caregiver plays a vital role and deserves recognition and support.

The Caregiver’s Role

Caregivers provide critical support for people living with movement disorders, where motor and cognitive symptoms can make daily tasks challenging. They often assist with mobility, medication management, transportation, and scheduling medical appointments. In addition, caregivers offer emotional support as their loved ones experience changes in independence. Their involvement is critical to maintaining quality of life for individuals with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, and others.

Movement Disorder

Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know

Anticipating Cognitive and Behavioral Changes

It is important for caregivers to understand that emotional and cognitive changes are often part of movement disorders, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and sometimes cognitive decline. This can place a heavy burden on caregivers as well, making it essential that they seek professional support when needed.

Keeping Your Loved One Safe

Patients with movement disorders are at higher risk for falls, choking, involuntary movements, and injuries related to tremors, so caregivers should be mindful of safety and mobility challenges.

Managing Medications

In addition, many conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, rely on specific timing of medications to control symptoms, so caregivers involved in managing prescriptions must pay close attention to schedules and potential side effects.

Caregiving Resources

Partner Resources

  • For Care Partners: Parkinson’s Foundation — For a loved one’s specific movement disorder, it is helpful to connect with nonprofit organizations that offer support groups and other disease-specific resources. For example, the Parkinson’s Foundation provides a free helpline, caregiver guides, and local support groups for patients and caregivers.

  • Huntington’s Disease Society of America: Caregiver Services and Resources — Similarly, Huntington’s Disease Society of America provides caregiver toolkits, guidance on how to manage symptoms, and support networks.

  • Managing FA: Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance — Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) is a complex disease that affects each person differently. Managing health care for the various aspects of FA can be overwhelming, but this page can help you think through different elements of your care.

Caregiver Action Network

This resource was developed with support from Movement Disorder Policy Coalition.

Explore Your Community Support Options

Personalized Guidance from Caregiving Experts

Personalized Guidance from Caregiving Experts

Available Monday-Friday from 8am – 7pm ET, our experts are ready with the personalized support, guidance, and assistance you need and deserve–for as long as you need it.

(855) 227-3640

24/7 Access to Hundreds of Helpful Resources

24/7 Access to Hundreds of Helpful Resources

The National Caregiver Help Desk App, powered by Carallel, is full of bite-sized resources crafted to help you build skills, validate what you’re feeling, and help you get stuff done.

Use Access Code: CAN

Connection & Community with Other Caregivers

Expert-Led Virtual Fireside Chats

These 30-minute virtual fireside chats address the complex and often difficult topics encountered by caregivers. Sessions are led by Matt Perrin, Carallel’s Director of Caregiver Engagement, and Sheila Schultz, a Carallel Care Advocate.

Community with Other Caregivers

Community With Other Caregivers

Through CAN, Carallel Support Groups give you a place to ask questions, feel understood, and build confidence in your caregiving journey. Access is simple and available when you need it.

Certified Listeners

Connect with Certified Listeners

Looking for someone who really gets it? Get matched with trained listeners who share your lived experience—whether that’s caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, cancer, or another chronic condition.

Facebook Support Group for Caregivers

Online Support Group on Facebook

Join our caregiver community on Facebook to connect with thousands of peers in a welcoming, supportive space.
Ask questions, share experiences, and receive advice any time of day.

We’re meeting caregivers where they are—giving you choices for how you want to connect, whether through expert advice, peer-to-peer empathy, or live support groups.