How Faith Communities Can Support Family Caregivers

Every congregation has them, even if they don’t always raise their hand: the son quietly managing his mother’s medications between meetings, the wife who hasn’t been able to attend Bible study in months because there’s no one to stay with her husband, the daughter juggling a job, her kids, and weekly visits to a memory care facility. Family caregivers are sitting in the pews (or missing from them) every single week.

Congregations are uniquely positioned to support these families. They already have the trust, the volunteer networks, and the mission to care for people through hard seasons. But supporting caregivers well takes more than good intentions.

Here’s where to start.

Educate Staff and Ministry Leaders About Community Resources

Pastoral staff, small group leaders, and ministry volunteers are often the first to notice when a family is struggling, but they aren’t always equipped to know what to do next. A brief training on local caregiving resources (respite programs, support groups, care management services, transportation options) gives leaders the confidence to make a warm handoff instead of a well-meaning but vague “let me know if you need anything.”

This also helps congregations avoid duplicating what already exists. Instead of building a new caregiver support group from scratch, a congregation might discover a well-established one meets ten minutes away and simply needs a ride coordinator or a room to meet in. Knowing the local landscape means congregations can focus their energy where it’s actually needed.

Offer Respite Through Partnerships

Respite is one of the most requested, most needed, and hardest to access supports for family caregivers. Congregations don’t have to build a respite program alone. Partnering with local caregiver nonprofits, adult day programs, and trained volunteers can create real breathing room for families, whether that’s a few hours during a Sunday service, a monthly respite night, or on-call companion care during special events.

Offering respite or companion care during church events specifically (think: potlucks, holiday services, funerals) means caregivers can participate without the constant math of “who will watch my loved one while I’m gone.”

Create Social Opportunities for Care Partners and Caregivers Alike

Isolation is one of the heaviest burdens caregiving carries, and it affects both the caregiver and the person they’re helping. Programs that welcome both, like a memory café, a low-key dinner, or an adapted game night, let families come together instead of the caregiver having to choose between staying home or leaving their person behind.

Offer Programs Outside the 9-to-5

Many family caregivers are also employed, and the hours they have available rarely line up with a traditional office schedule. Evening support groups, weekend respite hours, or early morning coffee gatherings open the door to caregivers who simply can’t make a Tuesday-at-2pm meeting work.

Provide Virtual and Hybrid Options

Not every caregiver can leave the house, even briefly.

Livestreamed services, life groups, virtual support groups, and hybrid meeting formats mean a caregiver can still feel connected to their congregation on the days leaving simply isn’t possible.

A Few More Simple, Powerful Shifts

Beyond structural changes, some of the most meaningful support costs nothing but attention:

• Ask directly. A simple “How are you managing?” acknowledges a caregiver’s role in a way that generic check-ins don’t.
• Give advance notice. Announcing events well ahead of time gives caregivers the lead time they need to arrange coverage.
• Involve caregivers in planning. Inviting family caregivers onto advisory committees or planning teams ensures programs actually reflect what families need… not just what leadership assumes they need.
• Celebrate them year-round. Recognition matters as much as resources. A caregiver who feels seen is more likely to stay connected to their community.

Great news! You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Building out caregiver support can feel like one more thing on an already full plate. That’s where partnering with Sandwiched KC comes in: we can help your congregation identify local resources, design programs that meet real needs, and make sure the family caregivers in your community feel supported, seen, and welcomed.

Reach out to learn how we can work together.