National Caregivers Day is Feb. 21. Here's how to offer support.

Nearly 66 million Americans serve as a caregiver for a sick or disabled loved one, putting almost 29% of adults in a position where they're juggling constant care with all the usual stressors of life. With that, caregiving is a serious challenge.

Caregivers are faced with numerous mental, physical and emotional health challenges, raising the risk they'll develop depression, burnout and other health issues. Unfortunately, many people aren't aware of these struggles — and caregivers end up suffering in silence as a result.

"These individuals tend to make their personal needs a lower priority than those they are caring for," Hillary Ammon, a psychologist at the Center for Anxiety & Women's Emotional Wellness, tells Yahoo Life. That usually means skipping routine exercise, quality sleep and home-cooked meals.

"If their role requires them to lift or carry loved ones, they may also experience physical pains or injuries," Ammon says. Some also deal with the struggle of caring for loved ones who may lash out at them, she says.

Caregivers are also constantly stretched thin, Lezlie Poole, program innovation manager at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, tells Yahoo Life. "If there's one thing we never have enough of, it's time," she says.

While there's never a bad time to honor the caregiver in your life, National Caregivers Day is on the third Friday of February, so in 2025 it falls on Feb. 21. This is a great opportunity to pay a little love and support forward. But trying to figure out what to give a caregiver can be tricky, given all that they do. "The best gift you can give a caregiver is the gift of personal time and self-care," Lakelyn Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiving advocate at Home Instead, tells Yahoo Life.

In addition to doing what you can to give the caregiver in your life a much-needed break, giving thoughtful gifts that show your support and gratitude can go a long way toward helping them on their journey. No matter what you choose, Ammon says it's important to simply honor your caregiver. "If you have someone in your life, it is important to show up for them, even if they do not ask for help," she says.

With that in mind, we consulted with several caregivers to learn more about gifts they loved, as well as what they would have enjoyed receiving. (Because many said gift cards were a godsend, we included a few choices below.) These are our favorite options to help you care for your favorite caregiver.

10 ways to care for and acknowledge the caregiver in your life

Meet the experts

• Lezlie Poole, program innovation manager at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers

• Lakelyn Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiving advocate at Home Instead

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.