Young Caregivers for Beginners: Where to Start
Young Caregivers: the few things that matter most, and the mistakes that catch people out early.
Children and teenagers providing care for a family member.
Key takeaways
- Who they are: children and teens helping care for a parent, grandparent or sibling
- Schools: counselors and nurses can arrange support and flexibility
- Most useful single change: Tell the school counselor; support and flexibility usually follow.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming the young person will raise it themselves.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Why bother
It can affect school and mental health, and most young caregivers are not noticed until something goes wrong.
Start here
Two things, and nothing else until both feel routine.
- Tell the school counselor; support and flexibility usually follow
- Bring in adult help so the young person is not the main caregiver
Then add these
When those have settled in, these are worth adding.
- Make sure the young person has time for school, sleep and friends
- Ask the family member's care team to explain the illness in age-appropriate terms
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Who they are | children and teens helping care for a parent, grandparent or sibling |
| Schools | counselors and nurses can arrange support and flexibility |
| Impact | attendance, grades, sleep and mental health |
| Crisis line | call or text 988, 24 hours a day |
Common early mistakes
- Assuming the young person will raise it themselves
- Letting caregiving tasks take the place of school
- Giving a child tasks such as lifting or managing medicines without adult support
Related topics
- What the Guidance Really Says About Child Mental Health (Children's Health)
- Teen Mental Health and 988: What Published Guidance Supports (Teen Health)
- Supporting a Family Member With Addiction: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Substance Use and Recovery)
- Stroke Rehabilitation: What the Evidence Actually Says (Rehabilitation)
Where to go next
- What People Get Wrong About Young Caregivers
- Answers to the Common Questions on Young Caregivers
- Young Caregivers — the reference entry
- Caregiver Health: The Complete Guide
- Caring at a Distance: What the Evidence Actually Says
- The Evidence on End of Life Caring, Without the Hype
When to speak to a doctor
Talk to the child's pediatrician or school counselor if a young person is providing care beyond what fits their age, or if their schoolwork, sleep or mood is suffering. If a young person has thoughts of harming themselves, call or text 988, and call 911 if a child is in immediate danger.
Where this comes from
- HHS — 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
- Family Caregiver Alliance — Caregiver Statistics: Demographics
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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