Caregiving comes with many responsibilities, especially caregiving for someone with chronic conditions. According to national research, 94% of adults ages 60 and older have at least one chronic condition. “Because we are living longer, we are more subject to chronic diseases,” said Marguerite Ro, AARP state director. These conditions include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and mental health conditions. When it comes to many of these diseases, prevention and early management are key. “I think the new paradigm is to take these diseases and try to intervene, try to detect them way before they start to cause symptoms,” said Alan Chun, former medical director, ICHS. Dr. Chun says you need to know your numbers, including your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Regular check-ups can also help you stay on top of your health. While caregiving, it’s important to prioritize your own health to prevent issues down the line. “The advice I also have for caregivers is to take care of your health because we know that being a caregiver is very stressful, and it can lead to other problems in yourself,” Dr. Chun said. “You have to take care of yourself first.” Focusing on a balanced diet, incorporating movement in your day and connecting with family and friends can help you stay healthy. “Staying connected is probably one of the best ways to relieve stress,” Ro said. The WA Cares Fund can also help lessen the stress of caregiving. The program offers working Washingtonians the ability to earn access to long-term care benefits that will be available when they need them. “The Washington Cares program is designed so you can have somebody support you in managing your medications, paying for the family caregiver and making sure that you have done the home modifications that you might need,” Ro said. AARP has many resources available to help ease the burden of caregiving. Learn more on the AARP website. Sponsored by AARP Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.