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April 16, 2026

After her father, George, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2024, Tammy watched as his physical capabilities dwindled. A Vietnam veteran and former farmer, George needed help to take care of himself and his dog, Lucy, as he began chemotherapy and hormone therapy treatments. Tammy stepped in as his caregiver.  

She got him to his appointments, handled the paperwork to help him buy the house across the street from her, and coordinated his move, all while working full-time and taking care of her animals (two ducks, 29 chickens and six dogs). Every day brought a new challenge, and Tammy found herself constantly on the go.

In the United States, 63 million adults (about 1 in 4 Americans) act as a caregiver for someone they love. While caregiving is often rewarding, it also places an emotional toll on caregivers, affecting their health, finances and mental well-being. In Florida alone, 59 percent of caregivers also work full-time, and 41 percent of caregivers experience high emotional stress, according to a 2025 AARP and National Alliance on Caregiving report.

“The best advice I can give a caregiver is to make sure you have a strong support system and take a little time to take care of yourself,” Tammy said. “While some days self-care is impossible, it is a necessity as I discovered the hard way.”

For Tammy, one of the most important things she did as a caregiver was finding ways to help her father stay as active as he could and to keep his mind occupied. As a farmer and former Marine, he had always been active. Together, they built raised beds and planted vegetables for him to tend to if he was feeling OK. If he couldn’t be active that day, he did puzzles to keep his mind sharp, she says.

“Thinking outside the box and knowing your patient is one of the key ways to keep them from dwelling on the misery they feel from whatever they are going through,” Tammy said.

Eventually, George’s cancer spread to his bones, his lymph nodes and his liver, and he passed away in January 2026 at age 77, Tammy said.

Tammy is thankful for the support she received from her husband, her children and her extended family to take care of her dad and make his final months as good as they could be.

“Words cannot describe how proud I am of him and his service,” Tammy said. “Like a true Marine, he fought until the bitter end and never allowed himself to feel sorry for himself. He was too busy living and making sure that those he loved knew that he loved them.”

Are you a caregiver looking for support? Florida Blue offers support for caregivers and a downloadable guide you can use to create a caregiving plan and track your loved ones’ needs.

Looking for local resources in your community? Reach out to a community specialist at one of our Florida Blue Centers. They can help connect you to helpful caregiving resources in your local community.

Sources:

AARP and National Alliance on Caregiving 2025 States Report Caregiving Support Varies Dramatically by State

AARP and National Alliance on Caregiving 2025 U.S. Report Caregiving in the US 2025: Key Trends, Strains, and Policy Needs