Caregiving Five Ways to Show Love to A Caregiver 2/5/2025 | By Terri L. Jones Do you know a caregiver who works tirelessly day after day, caring for a loved one? Caregiving is one of the most selfless things someone can do, but it can be relentlessly challenging. Whether for a birthday, a holiday such as Valentine’s Day, or just because, show love to a caregiver with these five ideas. Here are ways you can show love to a caregiver love year-round Cook something up. In my opinion, there are few things more caring than cooking for someone, particularly if that person is tired and overworked. One afternoon, why not bring some bags of food over and cook a fancy meal for your friend or family member? Don’t let them chop veggies or stir the soup; tell them to put up their feet and watch the action from their comfortable place on the sidelines. If their loved one needs help while you’re there, turn down the burner and give them a hand so your friend doesn’t have to move a muscle. Pamper them. Does your friend or family member enjoy a good spa treatment, but they haven’t seen the inside of a spa in years? Find a massage therapist, aesthetician or manicurist who makes house calls and bring the spa treatment to them! If mani/pedis, facials and massages aren’t their thing, you could have a hair stylist come to their home and cut their hair instead. Make a date. While hanging out with your friend at their home is nice, allowing them to get away from their caregiving responsibilities is even better! Given the challenge of caregiver isolation, your treat is even better when it’s with others. Hire a home care worker to take care of their loved one while the two of you (or a group of friends) enjoy a long lunch out, an afternoon of shopping, or a ball game and some nachos. It’s a fun and easy way for them to recharge their batteries and return to their parent or partner with renewed energy. Pinch hit for them. Does your friend need to go to the doctor, want to see a movie at the theater or just long for a quiet stroll in the park? If the person for whom they’re caring knows and trusts you, offer to pinch hit with caregiving while your friend enjoys some time away from their duties. You could also take their parent or spouse out for a long ride or a meal to give your friend the house to themselves for a couple hours. Once their loved one feels comfortable with you and you feel confident with caregiving, suggest that your friend or family member venture somewhere overnight (this may take some convincing)! Run errands. Ask your friend or family member for a list of their least favorite errands and spend an afternoon knocking out those tasks for them. Shop for the week’s groceries, take the dog to the vet, mail a package at the post office, take their car for maintenance, etc. While running these errands will likely be a piece of cake for you, it’ll take a huge load off their shoulders! With the continuous giving, a caregiver’s tank can quickly become drained. When you give them a show love to a caregiver and remind them how much their efforts are appreciated, it’ll go a long way for them and for the one for whom they’re caring! Related: Eight Steps to Hiring a Caregiver for a Loved One Read More Terri L. Jones Terri L. Jones has been writing educational and informative topics for the senior industry for over 10 years, and is a frequent and longtime contributor to Seniors Guide.