If juggling responsibilities were an Olympic sport, Suzanne Mintz would win a gold medal. During her adult lifetime, she has simultaneously played the role of mother, caregiver, author, and president and cofounder of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), America's leading grassroots caregiver constituency organization.

Since the late 1970s, Mintz has cared for her husband, Steven, who was diagnosed with the degenerative disease multiple sclerosis. Their experience prompted Mintz to write her first book, Love, Honor & Value: A Family Caregiver Speaks Out About the Choices and Challenges of Caregiving, in 2002.

Sharing the struggles often associated with caregiving was one way Mintz was able to juggle her roles as caregiver and working mother. She found that reaching out to friends and family served as a source of strength and comfort for her. Expressing her personal feelings and forming common bonds with other caregivers led to the NFCA's formation with her longtime friend, Cindy Fowler, who was caring for her 78-year-old mother.

Of course, many family caregivers know that assistance is not always found merely by asking for help from others. John C. Morales ― who cares for both his mother, a victim of stroke, and his ailing father, who suffers from arthritis and liver disease ― knows first-hand that his caregiver responsibilities are his own.

Morales is one of more than 54 million people who provide care for an elderly, disabled or chronically ill friend or relative, according to a recent NFCA survey. He says managing work and family has been the most difficult aspect of providing care for his parents.

• Choose to take charge of your life. Don't let your loved one's illness or disability always take center stage.
• Honor, value and love yourself. You're doing a very hard job, and you deserve some quality time, just for yourself.
• Seek, accept and, at times, demand help. Don't be ashamed to ask for help. When people offer assistance, accept it and suggest specific things that they can do.
• Stand up and be counted. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen. Recognize that caregiving comes on top of being a parent, a child or a spouse. Honor your caregiving role and speak up for your well-deserved recognition and rights.

For more information, visit www.nfcacares.org.