More than 22 million Americans are involved in some form of helping elderly family members or friends with their daily routines. If you're part of this group, whether you call yourself a caregiver, or simply a good daughter or son, you know that caring for an aging parent or friend has its rewards and its trials.

Caregivers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be adult children, spouses, siblings, friends or neighbors, who help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding and clothing.

As more Americans live longer, millions of middle-aged adults find themselves caring for their aging parents. It's not an easy task, especially for those with children still living at home.

Many children of aging parents wait until there's a crisis, and then they're left scrambling for mediocre options.

Most older people are independent. But later in life, you or someone you love may need help with everyday activities, such as shopping, cooking and bathing.

When people of any age need others to help them with medical, physical or emotional needs over an extended period of time, they need long-term care.

An advance directive spells out the types of treatment you would or would not want should you become unable to speak for yourself.

In a mutual support group, people just like you face similar ordeals and challenges.

Caring for anyone is difficult, even in the best of circumstances. Here are tips to help make the task easier.

Patient advocates fulfill many roles, even, in some cases, staying with hospitalized patients around the clock to help guard against medical errors.