Strong feelings may emerge during the course of serving as a caregiver to a loved one. Family members may either be new to the role or have significant experience providing care. No matter what the experience level, emotions arise, and caregivers should know they are valid and important.
Starting out on the journey of caregiving can be an emotionally taxing one. Frustrations, helplessness, anger, and guilt can surface, no matter how much the caregiver attempts to suppress these so-called negative feelings. On the other hand, compassion and goodwill can also be discovered and arise.
When negative feelings are overwhelming, a caregiver is unlikely to express them. Fear of being judged or becoming a burden on others are excuses for not handling these unpleasant emotions. Admitting to having these feelings, however, can drastically improve a caregiver’s health.
Ignoring the persistent overwhelming feelings can lead to caregiver burnout. The caregiver may begin to experience symptoms of burnout, such as having trouble sleeping, altering eating habits (such as eating too much or too little out of stress), feeling exhausted, or abusing substances.
No caregiver wants to experience this downward spiral in health. Plus, a caregiver who is ill is unable to provide quality care to their loved one. Coping with emotions as a caregiver benefits everyone involved. Here are common emotions and ways caregivers can productively handle them.
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Anger
Feeling angry at times is a normal response to being around an individual who needs constant support or who may out rightly refuse help altogether. Individuals living with dementia, for instance, can be combative and irrational. Being in perfect control of emotions, including anger, at all times is unrealistic.
Caregivers can cope with bursts of anger by forgiving themselves. Finding constructive ways to express anger, learning to walk away from volatile situations, and taking time outs are helpful. Turn to someone who will listen whenever venting about the day’s upheavals becomes necessary.
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Disgust
Feelings of disgust and discomfort can accompany performing hygiene tasks, such as helping the loved one use the bathroom or cleaning private parts in the shower. Changing adult diapers can be difficult. In general, these responsibilities are too intimate for some caregivers to handle.
Accept these feelings of revulsions as a first step. Remember that the individual is not intending for these bodily reactions to happen. Rather than continue with tasks, like incontinence care, hire a professional caregiver who is trained and experienced in helping individuals with routine personal care.
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Guilt
Pangs of guilt are common during the course of caregiving. A caregiver may feel guilty about wanting the responsibility to end, being impatient at times with the individual, perceiving caregiver performance as inadequate, or taking time off from caregiving and going out with a friend.
Again, self-forgiveness is an effective coping mechanism when guilt arises. Encourage positive self-talk, such as, “Difficult situations require difficult decisions” or “I am only human, and becoming impatient sometimes is natural.” Going out to a movie is not selfish, but helps rejuvenate the caregiver.
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Loneliness
Providing daily, ongoing care to an individual can become lonely. Prioritizing caregiving duties can stress friendships. Longtime friends no longer call because the caregiver is rarely available. Caregiving seems to take over the caregiver’s world, leaving them isolated and lonely.
Getting out of the house is critical to preventing detrimental loneliness and isolation. Seek out respite care from a home care agency or adult day care; both options give the caregiver a break. Turn to a wider social circle of neighbors, members in a faith community, or friends for nurturing.
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Tiredness
Exhaustion is a classic symptom of caregiver burnout. Busy caregivers are unlikely to receive the recommended eight hours of sleep each night. Care recipients may awaken at night and require help, thereby disturbing the caregiver’s sleep. Worry and stress can also disrupt caregivers’ sleep.
A lack of sleep leads to a host of health problems, such as obesity, irritability, impatience, and inefficiency in completing tasks. Rather than succumb to health problems, caregivers should discuss sleep issues with the care recipient’s physician, especially if the problems are due to caregiving.
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Unappreciation
Accepting help from someone else is difficult, even for individuals who suffer from dementia. A caregiver’s feelings are likely to get hurt as the care recipients pushes away attempts to be helpful. As a result, the caregiver feels the care recipient has no sense of appreciation for all they do.
Rather than seek appreciation from the care recipient, who may not be in a position to show gratitude, caregivers are encouraged to give themselves a pat on the back for a job well done. Caregiver support groups or a circle of friends can also cheer on the caregiver.
Assisting Hands Can Help
Caregiving for an individual can be an all-consuming situation, leaving the caregiver with little personal time. Symptoms of burnout can manifest, and the quality of care diminishes. Ensure the health of everyone by choosing respite care from Assisting Hands Home Care Richmond.
We are a highly rated home care agency with teams of dedicated Caregivers who are available for both short- and long-term respite care. Our experienced professionals step in while you are away to provide quality care and ensure that the individual receives all the in-home support necessary.
Assisting Hands Home Care Caregivers are trained in all aspects of non-medical elder care. Typical responsibilities include help with personal hygiene tasks, like bathing, grooming, and toileting. We prepare balanced meals, provide transportation, give medication reminders, and perform light housekeeping.
When you choose respite care from our agency, you will feel refreshed upon returning to your caregiving duties. Our respite care helps caregivers lower their risk of depression and other health issues, receive quality sleep, and have regular time off to spend with family.
An in-home consultation with Assisting Hands Home Care representatives will start the respite care process. We evaluate care needs and develop a flexible care plan. Our respite Caregivers are available to families and seniors in Richmond, VA and the surrounding areas.
