SUNDAY START YOUR WEEK blog 3 minute read

CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER

A Quiet Start to the Week

Sunday gives us a little space to breathe before the week begins. For those of us caring for someone we love, that quiet can feel both welcome and full before we start in, again.

Ephesians 6:7-8

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do..."

Here’s one simple truth worth carrying into the days ahead:

Family caregivers spend more than $7,200 a year of their own money to help the people they love.

It’s a real number. It’s also a quiet act of care that often goes unseen, accept by the Lord.

One Gentle Step for This Week

Sometime today or tomorrow, take a few minutes and jot down one recent expense that supported your loved one. Just one. Seeing it written down helps you notice the care you’re already giving. That awareness is a form of kindness toward yourself.

You don’t have to figure everything out alone. Clear resources and a steady path can make the load feel lighter.

A Boomers Bridge For Life was written to offer that kind of practical support — simple tools and guidance for the transitions families face, with care for the caregiver at the center.

A Simple Tool for This Week

If you’d like a quiet way to notice the care you’re already giving, a free printable spending record sheet is available for you.

It includes space to jot down what you spent, who it helped, and a gentle reminder of the love behind it. There is also a short IRS note for those who may want to keep records (see IRS Publication 502).

Your “personal spending record” template will be at the end of this blog.

One entry at a time is enough.

Begin this week knowing that the love you give is already making a difference. Take a moment to care for yourself, too.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

— John 15:13

PERSONAL SPENDING

Use a simple notepad or notebook as a register or record keeping reminder:

Date;

What was purchased or paid for:

Amount:

Who it helped:

Notes (optional)

Monthly Total (optional): $ _______________

Over time, the page will quietly show the care you are giving your loved one.

It’s that simple.

Use this template to gently track the money you spend supporting someone you love. One entry at a time is enough.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

— John 15:13

IRS Note (for your records): Some medical and dental expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse, or a qualifying dependent may be deductible if you itemize on Schedule A (Form 1040) and the total exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

See IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, and IRS Topic No. 502 for details on what qualifies and whose expenses you may include.

This sheet is a personal tracking tool only and is not tax advice.

Consult a qualified tax professional for your situation.