Tina, 56, helps Mary get out of bed while her bird, Buddy, greets her. Tina gets Mary up every morning, helps her to the bathroom and makes her Cream of Wheat breakfast with tea. Tina is Mary’s caregiver, defined as an individual who assists a person with daily activities, usually a loved one or elderly person. Tina was also her father Baden’s caregiver before he passed away in April. Tina said her parents’ decline happened gradually.

“It gradually happened,” Tina said. “I would see they weren’t going to their doctor’s appointments, so I needed to step in and start making their appointments. Then they both had significant falls. That was overwhelming, but you quickly learn to adapt because this is what they need. I woke up one day and was like, ‘Holy cow, I’m responsible for these two other people.’”