The Power of Recognizing Yourself as a Caregiver

Caregiving is one of the most powerful, yet often unrecognized, forces holding our families and healthcare system together. Whether it’s helping a parent with mobility, managing medications for a spouse, or simply being there to listen and provide emotional support. Caregiving takes many forms, and most of it happens quietly, behind closed doors.

In his inspiring TEDx talk titled Did You Know You Are A Caregiver? Kunal Parikh, an aging advocate and digital health strategist, sheds light on the often invisible yet vital role of caregivers in our society. According to data he shares, caregivers perform an astonishing $97 billion worth of care work every year. Even more staggering: for every one hour of care provided by the healthcare system, caregivers provide three. Yet only 2 out of 5 people who are doing this essential work recognize themselves as caregivers.

Caregiving: The Shifting Role We Don't Always See

One of the most powerful takeaways from Kunal’s talk is how he describes caregiving not as a rigid job description, but as a “shifting” role, one that moves fluidly based on need, time, and relationship. “Caregiving is the natural rhythm of relationships,” he says. It’s not just the physical support (like helping with a walker or preparing meals) it’s also deeply emotional and mental: being there, offering reassurance, and holding space during moments of vulnerability.

He uses a beautiful seesaw analogy to illustrate this dynamic. Imagine the seesaw of daily life: some days, as a caregiver, you’re up in the air: stressed, tired, overwhelmed. But on the other end, grounding that seesaw, is your loved one: offering support in their own way. And other days, it might be your loved one that's in the air and you're holding down the seesaw. This balance may not be perfect, but it reflects the deep interdependence of care.

Why Recognition Matters

Recognizing yourself as a caregiver is more than semantics, it’s empowering. “When you acknowledge that you’re a caregiver,” Kunal shares, “you begin to think differently. You ask different questions, you seek support, and you take better care of yourself.” In short, acknowledgement helps you become a better caregiver.

This awareness can also help access crucial resources: community support groups, educational tools, financial assistance, or simply the reassurance that you're not alone. As the caregiving role becomes more visible, it also becomes more valued, socially, emotionally, and systemically.

A Call to Own the Title

If you’ve ever coordinated a prescription refill for your parent, stayed on the phone with a loved one through a difficult moment, or helped someone navigate a medical appointment, you’re a caregiver.

You might not wear a name badge or uniform, but what you do is real, vital, and deeply human. As Kunal puts it, “Caregiving is the natural rhythm of relationships.” Recognizing that rhythm in your own life is the first step toward embracing it, not just as a duty, but as an act of love and strength.

So ask yourself: Am I a caregiver? If the answer is yes, even just a little, name it. Own it. Let that recognition be a source of empowerment, and let it guide you toward the support, understanding, and validation you deserve.