CAREGIVER ASSESSMENTS

Not at all. While many people seek this assessment because they feel overwhelmed, it can be equally valuable for caregivers who are managing well but want to prepare for the future. Caregiving responsibilities often change, sometimes quickly, and understanding your strengths, challenges, and available resources before a crisis occurs can make it easier to adapt.

Many people helping an aging parent don’t think of themselves as caregivers—they’re simply doing what needs to be done for someone they love. But as those responsibilities grow, they can begin to affect your time, health, work, relationships, and other parts of daily life. The Caregiver Assessment helps you take a closer look at what you’re managing and identify where additional support may be helpful.

Both. A caregiver cannot be assessed in isolation from the person they are caring for. I look at the full picture, including the care recipient’s needs and how well the current caregiving arrangement is meeting them. The goal is to understand the caregiving situation as a whole and build a plan that works for everyone involved.

Yes. Long-distance caregiving presents its own particular set of challenges, including uncertainty about what is actually happening day to day, guilt about not being present, and difficulty coordinating care from afar. The Caregiver Assessment addresses all of these directly, giving you a clear picture of the situation, realistic guidance on what you can and cannot manage from a distance, and connections to local resources in Winston-Salem that can provide additional support when needed.

Yes. The assessment produces a personalized action plan that identifies strengths, addresses challenges, outlines available resources, and recommends practical next steps. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your options and a written plan designed to support both you and your loved one.

No. The Caregiver Compass is a supportive, nonjudgmental process. My role is not to evaluate your performance as a caregiver, but to understand your situation fully and help you identify practical support and options.

Caregiving is hard. Seeking guidance is not a sign that something is wrong—it means you recognize that caregiving can be complex and that an additional perspective may be helpful.

During a medical appointment, the physician’s primary focus is naturally on the older adult’s health and medical care— the caregiver’s health, stress levels, and ability to continue providing care are important considerations, but there is often limited time to explore these issues in depth. The Caregiver Assessment is designed specifically around you, providing an opportunity to assess your needs, responsibilities, and capacity as a caregiver.