Hiring a Caregiver Should Not Come With Guilt
It’s not uncommon for people to feel guilt when hiring a caregiver to look after their senior loved one. While guilt is a natural feeling and you should not feel bad about your emotions, it’s important to remember that hiring a caregiver is ultimately a great act of love and care for your loved one. In this article, we’ll discuss the phenomenon of caregiver guilt, where it comes from, and what you can do to ease your guilt of hiring a professional caregiving company like Visiting Angels of Coral Springs to care for your loved one.
Understanding Caregiver Guilt
The term “caregiver guilt” refers to the feelings of remorse or shame that people often experience when they feel like they aren’t able to properly care for their loved ones. This guilt can stem from several different factors, such as not being able to provide 24/7 care, feeling unable to provide adequate emotional comfort, or hiring a professional caregiver to help with caregiving duties. If your loved one is struggling with a chronic health issue like heart disease or dementia, caregiver guilt can also emerge from feelings of helplessness and powerlessness.
Why Family Caregivers Feel Guilty When Hiring a Professional Caregiver
Caregivers often feel guilty when hiring an outside caregiver because they feel as though they are failing their loved one or giving up on caring for them. In reality, this could not be further from the truth. When someone chooses to hire a professional caregiver, they are giving their loved one an extra level of assistance and supervision; calling in a professional for help is one of the most loving things you can do for a senior loved one who needs extra help.
Managing Caregiver Guilt
While it can be easy to rationally understand why you’re feeling guilt, it can be difficult to actually address these feelings. First, make sure to have realistic expectations for yourself; no one is able to do everything for their senior loved one. Remind yourself that asking for help is normal and a smart thing to do. Also, remember to care for your health as a whole. Treat yourself to arelaxing walk, a nice cup of tea, or a few episodes of your favorite TV show if you’re feeling extra stressed. Self-care is crucial for preventing burnout and deeper feelings of guilt.
If you are still struggling with caregiver guilt, consider talking to a trusted resource like a therapist or counselor. Many places also have support groups for caregivers, like the Broward County Alzheimer's & Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group.
Guilt and Feelings of Caregiver Burden
If you provide care to your loved one, you may struggle with feelings of frustration or resentment. You may be upset that so much of your time and energy are expended providing senior care. Then, you may feel guilty for even feeling these emotions. It’s normal to have some level of frustration, and you should not feel guilty for thoughts that pop into your head. Instead, continue to focus on self-care and seeking support from others.
Find Out More About How Visiting Angels Can Help
If your loved one is struggling with day-to-day tasks or the symptoms of a chronic illness, you don’t have to handle all of their caregiving duties alone. At Visiting Angels of Coral Springs, we provide compassionate and personalized in-home care services to seniors. If you are interested in learning more about how we can lend a helping hand to your senior loved one at home, reach out to our team today at (954) 688-9342 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free in-home care evaluation!