Family caregivers are doing some of the most emotionally demanding and undervalued work today, and often, they’re doing it quietly, behind closed doors, with little to no support.
The challenge? Caregiving isn’t just hard, it’s relentless. There’s no off switch, no clocking out. Over time, this constant responsibility can lead to stress, emotional fatigue, and eventually burnout. And with so many people being thrust into caregiving roles with zero preparation, the journey can feel incredibly isolating.
That’s why we reached out to Theresa Wilbanks, a caregiver advocate, author, and founder of Sustainable Caregiving, to talk about what it takes to make caregiving more manageable, more meaningful, and less overwhelming. She’s been through it herself, and now she helps others navigate that same river with confidence and compassion.
For me, the most transformative shift has been mindfulness.
Early on in my caregiving journey, I felt completely at the mercy of my emotions, constantly reacting to stress, conflict, and overwhelm. It felt automatic, like I had no control. But once I began practicing mindfulness, even in short daily meditations, things began to shift.
I started noticing when fear or worry was taking over. I learned to pause, breathe, and come back to the present moment. That small space between the trigger and the response, that’s where I found my power. Instead of reacting impulsively, I could respond with intention.
That one change helped me reclaim my calm. It reduced regret. It grounded me even on the hardest days.
Caregivers often feel pulled in a hundred directions. But when we learn to stay present even just for a few moments, it gives us space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with our purpose. And that space? That’s where sustainability begins.
Honestly, there’s no such thing as a “typical” day for me, and I love it that way.
Some days, I’m meeting one-on-one with a caregiver who feels completely overwhelmed, helping them find calm and clarity. Other days, I’m deep in creative work designing a website for an author, editing a book trailer, writing newsletters, or building speaker decks and proposals.
What ties everything together is a single intention: to make caregiving more sustainable. Whether I’m coaching, creating, or collaborating, my goal is always to help caregivers feel more confident, more connected, and a little more at peace. My work is about lifting caregiver voices and making sure their stories are seen, heard, and valued.
– Theresa Wilbanks
Technology, especially AI, has so much potential to support caregivers in ways that are both meaningful and practical.
If I were still actively caring for my dad today, I would absolutely turn to AI tools like ChatGPT. Not just for quick answers or medical explanations, but for help making tough decisions, writing sensitive messages, or even just talking through a problem when I felt alone.
Caregiving can be isolating. And while no technology can replace human connection, it can be a powerful tool to lean on, especially in those in-between moments when we’re too exhausted to call a friend or unsure who to ask for help.
Looking ahead, I see AI and tech playing a bigger role in all areas of care. Wearables and remote monitoring tools will help families stay updated in real time. Voice assistants and smart home devices can make aging in place safer and more manageable. We’re also seeing more virtual support groups and personalized care apps tools that help caregivers manage both logistics and emotions.
At its best, technology doesn’t replace the human side of caregiving; it supports it. It takes some of the weight off, so we can focus more on what matters: connection, presence, and compassion.
We’re on the edge of a real shift in how caregiving is understood and supported, and it’s long overdue.
In the next five to ten years, I believe we’ll see:
And above all, I hope we continue breaking the silence. Storytelling, advocacy, and community building are already making an impact. Caregivers are starting to feel seen and heard, and that visibility is what drives change in workplaces, healthcare systems, and public policy.
The future of caregiving won’t be all tech and automation. It’ll be human at its core but supported by smarter tools, better systems, and deeper empathy.
Burnout rarely shows up overnight. It builds slowly, often silently, until you’re deep in it.
One of the earliest signs is the gradual erosion of personal boundaries. You start saying yes to too much. You skip meals, cancel plans, and stop doing things you enjoy. You lose sleep, give up routines. Bit by bit, your identity starts to revolve entirely around caregiving.
That’s when the resentment creeps in. The exhaustion. The sense of being trapped.
To stay grounded, you have to protect your boundaries early and fiercely. Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re essential. They’re how you preserve your energy, your mental health, and your ability to keep showing up with compassion.
And pay attention to the signals. If you’re feeling angry or resentful, that’s often your body’s way of telling you that a boundary needs to be set or reinforced.
The most important boundaries aren’t with others. They’re with you.
As Theresa Wilbanks put it, sustainable caregiving isn’t about fixing every challenge. It’s about learning to move through them with clarity, purpose, and self-awareness. Mindfulness, boundaries, technology, and support systems may not solve everything, but they can make the weight easier to carry. Caregivers don’t have to do it all alone. With the right mindset and a few solid tools, it’s possible to stay grounded, protect your well-being, and find meaning in the everyday act of caring for someone you love.
Theresa Wilbanks is a caregiver advocate, author of Navigating the Caregiver River, keynote speaker, and host of the Self-Caregiving Strategies podcast. Through her organization, Sustainable Caregiving, she helps family caregivers reduce stress, prevent burnout, and find purpose in their caregiving journey using practical tools, mindset shifts, and the 12 Sustainable Caregiving Strategies featured in her talks, workshops, and book.
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