So many caregivers are shocked to find that they suddenly feel resentful of the person they’re caring for, even though they love that person and want to be their caregiver. If that’s happening to you, there may be some lessons involved.
Resentment Is an Opportunity to Assess What’s Happening
Feeling even a little bit of resentment is a clue that something isn’t working the way that it’s supposed to. You might be taking on too much at once or you’re sacrificing more than you expected in order to be a caregiver. Regardless, this is a big warning sign that you need to take a little bit of time and really look at what is going on with caregiving and with your life right now. Only after examination can you start to make any changes at all.
You Can’t Do This Alone
One of the biggest things for you to remember as a caregiver is that you can’t, and you shouldn’t be doing this alone. You must have a support network of some sort around you. You might be blessed with a large group of family and friends who are willing and able to help. But even if you aren’t, you can still find plenty of community support and even senior care providers who are able to give you the assistance that you need.
Your Own Needs Matter
So many caregivers neglect their own needs in favor of those of the people they’re helping. While that is admirable, it’s not sustainable. Eventually your own needs are going to be more insistent and if you’re ignoring things like your own health, that’s going to backfire on you very quickly. Resenting caregiving can be an early warning system that your own needs are about to assert themselves.
Breaks Are Essential
If you’re not taking any time away from caregiving, you need to adjust your schedule. No one can do well long-term without taking breaks here and there. You can start out small with an afternoon away here and there, but you need to develop a schedule that allows you downtime so that you can recharge.
When you can look at feelings like resentment and see the potential lessons involved, that’s going to make letting go of that feeling so much easier to do. Resentment in and of itself isn’t helpful, but if you are able to make changes that are better for you and for your aging adult, that’s something wonderful.
Excerpt: Lots of times caregivers feel guilty about some of the emotions they experience. But those emotions are trying to show you something.
If you or an aging loved one needs Senior Care in Carmichael, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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