Welcome! Thank you for reading the first blog post from the Families, Addiction and Mental Health (FAM) Network Perspectives blog. As part of the Caregiver Action Network, FAM is focused on the unique caregiving challenges families and loved ones’ face while navigating the diverse needs of addiction and mental health.

I am fortunate to work on behalf of the more than 105 million Americans who provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aging loved one. In my role, I am deeply entrenched in the issues that impact caregivers, providing support, resources and information to help families and caregivers navigate a variety of barriers in today’s healthcare system. One of those challenges many caregivers face is pain.

Pain is a pervasive issue within the caregiving community – one that is complex, multifaceted, and often difficult to navigate. Caregivers supporting their loved ones through pain often navigate HIPAA regulations, medication management, and facilitating difficult conversations with a multitude of health care providers and their loved ones.

In addition to those challenges, caregivers also have to consider the potential adverse effects of pain medication. Each year, at least 80 million Americans receive prescription medications for acute pain, with approximately half of those prescriptions being opioids. While there is a time and place for opioids in pain treatment, there are many patients who want or need alternatives without the risk of having their pain undertreated.

During my 20+ years of serving individuals with short- and long-term care needs, I’ve learned that addressing pain and its complexities is essential to effective treatment. Successful care plans must be holistic, incorporating the perspectives of both individuals and their caregivers while offering clear, accessible choices for managing care.

To support caregivers navigating pain, our resources equip families, caregivers, and patients with the tools needed to address health needs. Ultimately, these resources serve as a guiding light to empower our caregivers to be advocates for their loved ones, their families, and themselves. They offer tips and tricks to navigate conversations with health care providers, provide information about innovations in pain treatment options, and serve as the launching point for caregivers to be advocates. These resources are integral to our communities, and they are created with caregivers in mind. If you’re interested in working together to develop educational materials and resources that address the most pressing needs families and caregivers face, learn more about joining our efforts to address pain, mental health, and addiction: Get involved