Many family caregivers aren’t aware of the emotional side of caregiving when they take on the job. Although being a caregiver for an elderly loved one is a special role, it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. Here are some of the emotions family caregivers commonly experience and a few tips on handling these feelings, brought to you by the La Mesa elderly home care specialists at Coast Care Partners.
1. Failure
When your loved one’s health continues to decrease, despite your sincerest efforts, you might think of yourself as a failure. However, you are a strong person who has taken on a challenging role. As a caregiver, you will experience good and bad days, but you need to keep pushing forward and continue to accept your best.
2. Anger
Seeing other family members do little or nothing may make you angry, which is why you should delegate tasks equally. Sometimes all you have to do is ask. You can also use respite care to give yourself much-needed time off.
3. Sadness
Watching an aging parent lose his or her independence can be a sad experience. However, you should think about all of the bonding you two can do and focus on making great memories. You can also encourage your loved one to do as much as he or she can without your assistance.
4. Disgust
Caring for an aging loved one with incontinence issues can be difficult and cause feelings of disgust. Managing incontinence is often too intimate of an experience. If you feel disgusted assisting your loved one with personal hygiene tasks, ask other family members to step up and handle this particular duty.
5. Regret
There may come a point when caregiving becomes overwhelming and you regret accepting the role. Try not to dwell in negativity, and remember to practice self-care. Focus on maintaining a healthy balance between your social life and your caregiving duties.
6. Fear
It’s common for family caregivers to fear their loved one will develop a chronic condition or experience a serious injury at some point. Fear can cause emotional and physical problems, which is why you need to remain calm and optimistic. Continue doing your best and hope for positive outcomes.
7. Unappreciated
You may feel unappreciated at times, which is why you should applaud your own work. Send flowers to yourself, go to the spa, or treat yourself to a day of shopping. It’s okay to give yourself praise when you need it.
8. Stress
Almost every family caregiver experiences stress. The stress from your personal and professional commitments, in addition to caregiving, may be too much to handle at times, causing your anxiety levels to increase. To prevent stress from building up, take a lot of breaks and enlist the help of others. Simplifying your daily tasks can reduce stress and boost your overall wellbeing.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to take some time off to focus on your own emotional wellbeing. When it comes to high-quality senior home care, La Mesa families trust Coast Care Partners. Our caregivers are professionally trained to help older adults with a wide variety of daily tasks, which offers respite for family members. We also specialize in Alzheimer’s and dementia home care. Whether your aging loved one needs minor help with everyday activities or you need some time off from your caregiving responsibilities, give us a call at 619-354-2544 today.
