04/04/2026
The Invisible Toll of Caregiving, an article published in Mirror Indy, shares two deeply personal stories that reflect the complexity of family caregiving, and the disproportionate impact it can have on women’s health.
One mother describes watching for the slightest shift in her daughter’s expression, knowing it could mean the difference between safety and crisis. Another caregiver talks about the mental load of making medical decisions for her mother while quietly grieving the role reversal happening in real time.
The article also highlights what research confirms: nearly 6 in 10 caregivers are women, and long-term caregiving is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, chronic illness, and heart disease.
One line from the story says it best:
“Tell your family you’re running on 20%. People can’t see the weight on you.”
Caregivers are humans first. Navigating the balance between caring for others and caring for ourselves is something we have to figure out — together.
Read the full article at: https://mirrorindy.org/caregivers-health-risks-support-selfcare