As caregivers, we often find ourselves in situations we never imagined. That’s why, in honor of National Family Caregivers Month, we’re sharing several real-life stories from caregivers who have been through it all.
These moments reflect the unique blend of humor, frustration, and unexpected joy that caregiving brings. Whether you’re navigating a messy situation or sharing a tender moment with your care recipient, these stories remind us that even in the hardest times, you’re not alone — and sometimes, all you can do is laugh.
Do These Stories Sound Familiar?
- Surreal Moments
“By the time my dad was preparing to enter hospice, our doorbell seemed to ring constantly, with friends and family showing up, arms full of food and hearts full of love. But one day, a uniformed stranger appeared with a different purpose – he had a certificate honoring my dad’s military service. The funny thing is, my dad only spent three months in the reserves during the Korean War and never considered himself a ‘veteran.’ Dad was quick to dismiss the title, but the man was determined to perform the ceremony, which took place in our living room with much pomp and circumstance. After he left, we all shared a good laugh. It was an unexpected, surreal moment in the midst of those painful final days – and now, it’s one of the memories I’m so glad we get to hold on to together.” — Meg B.
- Anxious Moments
“For years, I accompanied my sister to her infusions, a 90-minute drive from her home. Once, when we were almost halfway home, her nephrostomy tube began to leak, spilling a steady stream of urine on the leather seat. The question was, do we turn around or do we continue forward? We pulled over, grabbed a blanket from the back seat (RIP blanket!), and put the pedal to the metal as we flew down the highway with the windows open and the stereo blasting. She was mortified at the mess, but I kept her distracted and laughing as much as possible. In short order, we pulled into the urgent care near her home. The providers knew her and loved her – as a longtime cancer patient she was a frequent flier. They quickly brought her into an exam room, cleaned the site, and stitched her up, giving her a tender hug as we left.” – Eve G.
- Go-with-the-Flow Moments
“I take care of my 85-year-old aunt. Despite being legally blind and very hard of hearing, she absolutely loves Dancing with the Stars. It’s a weekly ritual: I’ll move her recliner inches away from the television set and give her nightly “one pinky finger” of whiskey. Then, we’ll turn the sound all the way up until the room is practically vibrating from the music. It’s a ritual that everyone in this small neighborhood has gotten used to — ever since the first night when half the block showed up on the doorstep, wondering what kind of party we were hosting, and why they weren’t invited!” — Raye C.
- Shrug-It-Off Moments
“I was off running errands (car wash, gas, groceries, pet food) for close to three hours. When I got back, there were food spills all over the dining room table. I felt the familiar ‘another mess, it's endless’ sensation, but said nothing. Two of my parents’ oldest friends (they met in the 1970s) had come by, and they all made tea and ate cookies. When my [mom] told me about it, I saw how much it meant to her that she could still have friends over to her home and share food together. She didn't say thanks for doing all the cleaning, cooking, shopping, gardening, organizing, pet care, home repairs, auto care, etc. But I saw her with a look of confidence and pride that is rare for her now. Sometimes things are good.” — Anonymous Reddit User
- Tender Moments
“I was so exhausted from being up much of the night with my dad that I slept through the first 10 minutes of our weekly team Zoom. One of my colleagues called my phone, worried. When I finally joined, embarrassed and apologetic, my workmates flooded my private chat with notes of commiseration and support, and my boss announced on the call that we’re here for one another, always. He then shared a story of how overwhelmed HE was when he took care of his disabled adult brother for a weekend to give his parents a break. He urged us all to be open and share what we needed, whenever we needed it. I’ll never forget that moment.” – Bradley N.
Looking Ahead
As caregivers, we often face moments that are both challenging and deeply human. Whether it’s cleaning up an unexpected mess or discovering creative ways to make it through the day, these experiences remind us that caregiving is unpredictable but also full of shared moments that connect us. If you found yourself nodding along to these stories or even laughing, you’re not alone. Caregiving can feel isolating, but there’s comfort in knowing that others have faced the same hurdles — and found humor and joy along the way.