Posted on: March 11, 2020
If you are feeling a bit discouraged in your role as caregiver, take heart; you’re in good company. Providing homecare for aging parents is probably one of the most complex roles we can hold: extremely worthwhile on the one hand, while at the same time discouraging and ever-evolving, regularly leading to feelings of uncertainty about whether we’re up to the challenge and providing the best possible care.
It is why so many family caregivers battle against some or all of these kinds of feelings:
- Guilt: You might feel as if you’re not doing as much as you really need to in order to help your loved one, that you are self-centered for seeking time away to yourself, or that you’re inadequate to provide the help your senior loved one needs.
- Helplessness: There are several circumstances when you simply cannot solve the issues your parent is facing.
- Anger or frustration: This can be directed at yourself, other loved ones who seem as if they’re not doing their fair share, and even at your older loved one for causing you to be in this situation.
- Resentment: Extremely typical when being a caregiver for a person who hurt or betrayed you in the past, it is easy for those feelings to resurface when that individual is now in your care.
- Hopelessness: When a senior faces a challenging diagnosis such as a chronic or terminal condition, feelings of despair can settle in, that could bring about despondency or depression.
Recognizing the complex caregiver emotions, and accepting they are completely normal, is an excellent place to start. These guidelines can also help:
- Share your feelings. Find a dependable friend, family member, or professional counselor to vent to, someone who can provide an alternative perspective and help you to adjust your thinking to a more positive slant.
- Take into consideration the advice you would offer a friend. Sometimes, stepping out of your circumstances and picturing how you would react to another individual going through these feelings can provide valuable insight. Provide the same encouragement you’d provide to another, to yourself.
- Find a care partner. Using the services of experienced care managers, like Alivity Care Advocates, allows you to achieve a healthy life balance – something that is paramount to every caregiver.
Reach out to our trained, experienced, and compassionate senior care advocates by calling (248) 375-9125. Let us walk alongside you by providing expert guidance that will help you not only ensure your loved one receives the personalized care services he or she deserves, but that you also have time for much-needed self-care. We are always available to answer any questions you have and to provide helpful resources specific to the difficulties you are facing. Contact us today so that we can help develop a care solution that is tailored just for you.