Caregiver Guilt
Family Caregivers in California. The Court Finds You Guilty…
…but not of the crimes you think you committed.
You think you’re guilty of not spending enough time with your loved ones. That you’re guilty of failing them because you are considering part-time in-home care or a full-time skilled nursing facility.
No. Here’s what you are probably guilty of instead:
Working too hard
Neglecting your own emotional and physical health
Judging yourself too harshly
Although immensely rewarding, caregiving for a cherished family member is one of the hardest things you will ever do, and the role of caregiver often comes at the busiest stage of one’s life. Caregivers in California often have full-time jobs on top of caregiving, plus children and spouses who need attention, too.
How do I know if I’m working too hard? The first thing you need to do is admit that you’re working too hard. Pull out a sheet of paper and make … Read More »
Help for Caregivers Struggling with Guilt
Most of us are juggling a number of balls at any given time, and for caregivers, it often feels like they’re juggling knives and flaming swords on top of it. It’s common to feel overburdened and guilty when you’re a caregiver for a loved one, whether that person is your spouse or your parent.
Guilt can manifest in many ways. Maybe you feel like you’re spending too little time with your loved one. You may feel guilty about considering an assisted living facility for your loved one. You might feel guilty when your loved one’s dementia-fueled behaviors caused you to snap. Or you could feel guilty about neglecting your own children’s needs in order to care for your senior loved one.
The most important things to remember are: You are doing the best you can, and it’s okay to seek help.
Let’s take … Read More »
