These six celebrities are often in the spotlight for their acting roles, but each has also played the role of caregiver. Their stories prove that no matter what you do for a living, caring for the ones you love is the most important job.
- Actress Holly Robinson Pete cared for her father after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and founded the HollyRod Foundation to help others living with the disease.
- Marg Helgenberger, formerly on the popular TV show “NCIS,” was just a young adult when she began caring for both her parents. She’s shared her story to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
- Leeza Gibbons, best known for her work on “Entertainment Tonight,” is a caregiver to her mother. Her organization, Leeza’s Place, is dedicated to providing free support, resources and programs for other family caregivers.
- Patrick Dempsey plays a doctor on Grey’s Anatomy, and also supports cancer patients and their families off-screen. Inspired by his mother’s fight against ovarian cancer, he established The Dempsey Center, which offers “support and education for anyone impacted by cancer.”
- An outspoken advocate for Alzheimer’s research and funding, Maria Shriver cared for her father, who battled the disease for seven years. She now reports for “Today.”
- Comedian Seth Rogen not only helps care for his mother-in-law who has early onset Alzheimer’s, he’s also used his star power to lobby Congress for more funding.
If you’re a caregiver, remember that you need TLC too. Consult the Caregiver Stress Checklist and check in often with your own support system, including health providers, to avoid burnout.
This post was originally published by Care Conversations, a program that helps families talk about health, aging and long-term care plans. For more information like this, visit careconversations.org.