By the Vintage Team | August 2026
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 70% of family caregivers report high stress trying to keep up with care needs — caregiver burnout is common, not a personal failing.
- Small changes help most: predictable routines, clear and unhurried communication, home safety updates, and activities matched to your loved one’s abilities.
- Vintage offers financial assistance for caregivers of adults 60+, covering counseling, transportation, respite care, equipment, and home modifications.
- Support groups are available by county across Vintage’s six-county service area, including a dementia/Alzheimer’s-specific group in the Roaring Fork Valley.
- Grandparents raising grandchildren (55+) can also access Vintage’s caregiver support programs.
The reality is that nobody applies to be a caregiver. One day you’re driving a parent to what’s typically a routine appointment, and the next you find yourself spending hours a week managing medications. You’re on the phone coordinating specialists.
You happily do what you can for those you love, but you begin to feel guilty for harboring a bit of exhaustion and frustration. It begins to feel as though you’re rearranging your entire life around someone else’s needs.
If you’re caring for an aging parent, spouse, or another loved one, being a caregiver is a lot of thankless work. And in Colorado’s mountain towns, that job often comes with extra weight.
The nearest specialist might be over a mountain pass. The harsh winter weather can turn a simple errand into an all-day project.
It’s normal to feel grief as your loved one changes, frustration when communication gets harder, or guilt when you need a break. Those feelings don’t mean you’re doing it wrong — they mean you’re carrying a very real load, and you may need very real help.
You’re Not Alone in Your Caregiving
Studies show that nearly 70% of family caregivers report high levels of stress trying to keep up with everything caregiving requires.
That’s true whether you’re managing dementia and mobility loss, or just helping with the day-to-day needs of an aging body.
Across Vintage’s six-county service area — Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, Routt, and Summit — thousands of families are doing exactly what you’re doing right now. Reaching out for help isn’t a sign you’ve failed.
But it can be the moment all of this caring starts to feel manageable.
Practical Tips for Everyday Caregiving
Each and every caregiving situation is as unique as those involved. But there are a few things you can do to help make the process more manageable for everyone.
Create Structure and Routine
Predictable routines around meals, medication, and daily activities reduce confusion and anxiety. This is especially true for those who may be living with dementia or cognitive change, but really for anyone adjusting to a new normal. A steady daily rhythm gives your loved one something reliable to hold onto.
Focus on Clear Communication
When you shift from family member to caregiver, conversations can get harder. But connection doesn’t have to.
Gentle touch and eye contact can go a long way. Your body language often communicates more than words do. Slow down, use short sentences, and give your loved one time to respond — rushing tends to create more confusion.
Make Home Safety a Priority
You can take small changes to help prevent big problems:
- Clearing tripping hazards
- Adding grab bars in bathrooms
- Securing cabinets with medications or cleaning supplies
- Creating go-bags if the need to evacuate quickly arises
If wandering is a concern, a door alarm can offer real peace of mind. For homes with stairs or steep driveways, a walkthrough with fresh eyes can catch hazards you’ve stopped noticing.
Keep Your Loved One Engaged
Look for activities matched to your loved one’s current abilities. Even something as simple as looking through photo albums or listening to familiar music together can lift mood. Plus, these small activities have been shown to support cognitive and physical health at any stage!
Vintage’s Caregiver Resources
Vintage connects caregivers across Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, Routt, and Summit counties with local support, whether you need financial help, a break, or just someone who understands what you’re carrying.
Financial Assistance
If you’re caring for a loved one 60 or older, Vintage can help fund counseling, transportation, respite care, equipment, and home modifications. Contact us today at 970-531-4087 to see what you qualify for.
Respite Care
Respite care is designed for caregiver burnout – a very real reality you should never feel guilty about. You can access temporary relief through in-home services, adult day programs, or short-term institutional care, so you can rest, travel, or simply catch your breath.
Support Groups
Many caregiver support groups meet across the region, including groups in Eagle County (970-328-8831) and Summit County (970-668-2943), a Parkinson’s-specific group in Eagle County (970-279-3273), and a dementia/Alzheimer’s caregiver group in the Roaring Fork Valley (970-236-6394).
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
If you’re 55 or older and raising a grandchild, Vintage’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program offers support built for your situation. Contact our team to learn more.
Don’t Forget Your Own Care
The tips above can help you provide better care for your loved one as a caregiver. But who’s taking care of you?
Don’t wait until you’re running on empty to ask for help. Find ways to stay active and seek help from local resources as needed. These are the small things that keep you steady enough to keep going, day after day, season after season.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, and the person you’re caring for wants you to be okay too, even if they can’t always say so.
Caregiving looks different for every family, but the support shouldn’t be hard to find. If you’re caring for a loved one anywhere in Vintage’s six-county service area, call 970-455-1067 or visit our Caregiver Support page to get connected to the resources that fit your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caregiver resources does Vintage offer in Colorado?
Financial assistance, respite care, county support groups, and the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program serving Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, Routt, and Summit counties.
Is financial help available for family caregivers?
Yes! Vintage offers funding for counseling, transportation, respite care, equipment, and home modifications for caregivers supporting adults 60 and older. Contact Ceci Peterson at 970-531-4087.
What is respite care?
Temporary relief for caregivers, including in-home services, adult day programs, and short-term institutional placements, so caregivers can rest and recharge.
Are there caregiver support groups in the Colorado mountains?
Yes, organized by county — including a dementia/Alzheimer’s-specific group in the Roaring Fork Valley — with more information available through Vintage at 970-455-1067.