Create Your Care Registry

Caregivers are a selfless force foundational to our society’s well-being. Caring for a dying loved one is both emotionally and physically taxing. This responsibility often leaves caregivers feeling isolated and overwhelmed. In the United States, approximately 53 million individuals serve as unpaid caregivers, dedicating over 20 hours per week on average to support their loved ones for various reasons beyond just end-of-life care. This number is expected to rise dramatically as the Baby Boomer generation ages. The ratio of potential caregivers for every older adult will decrease from seven to one in 2010 to just four to one by 2030.

Friends and family want to help but may not know how to do so without intruding. This observation inspired the creation of Care Registries (www.careregistries.com). A Care Registry functions like a Gift Registry but is specifically designed for caregiving. It facilitates clear communication about caregivers’ needs—such as house cleaning, meal preparation, or pet care—and allows community members to sign up for specific types of assistance they wish to offer.

Using Care Registries helps caregivers regain balance in their lives while fostering deeper connections with their support networks. This platform serves as a community resource aimed at alleviating the stress and isolation associated with caregiving. It nurtures human connections during these sacred life events.

To effectively support caregivers, we have curated an extensive menu of care tasks they might require, including house cleaning, yard work, childcare, pet care, sourcing legal advice, and fundraising. Users can personalize their care registries by selecting tasks and creating custom items. They can also schedule these tasks for weekly or one-time assistance.

Once the care registry is set up, caregivers should invite their trusted circle of family, friends, and neighbors to participate. Similar to a gift registry, they can sign up for tasks they feel comfortable assisting with. The Care Registry platform includes a communication mechanism that keeps caregivers and their network of helpers in constant contact.

While the platform is designed with caregivers as the primary beneficiaries, they don’t need to be the sole individuals responsible for its creation. Setting up and maintaining a care registry can be time-consuming, and caregivers may already feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, close friends or family members can step in to create and manage the care registries on their behalf. By collaborating with caregivers to understand their needs and struggles, we provide practical support and emotional comfort. Being there, listening, and reassuring them that they are not alone during this incredibly challenging time is invaluable.