Oklahoma's roughly 250,000 unpaid family caregivers are physically, emotionally and financially drained as they enter another pandemic winter, made more worrisome by the surging Omicron variant of Covid-19.

If you're caring for an aging parent or other loved one, there are a number of tips and services you can implement that can help lighten the load in 2022. Here are several to consider.

Assemble a care team: A good first step is to put together a network of people including family, friends and even neighbors that you can call on to help out when you can't be there or need a break.

Tap local services: Many communities offer a range of free or subsidized services that help seniors and caregivers by providing things like home delivered meals, transportation, senior companion services and more. The Areawide Aging Agency in central Oklahoma provides a “Survival Kit” directory of the different services available. To see a copy online visit AreawideAging.org or call 405-942-8500.

Use respite: Respite services can provide short-term care to your loved one so you can take some time off. Currently, free respite vouchers are available to family caregivers who test positive for COVID-19 and need a temporary break. To locate services, use the Oklahoma Caregiver Coalition website at OKCares.org or call Sooner Success at 405-271-2710.