Guilt is a common emotion among family caregivers. You may feel guilty about the time you are missing with your spouse or children. Guilt also creeps in when you are away from your older loved ones – especially if you are taking time just for yourself. You might feel guilty that you can’t fix everything, or make your parents better. Unrealistic expectations – thinking you can do it all – also lead to feelings of guilt. Whatever the reason, it can be very challenging to battle the guilt you feel. How can you cope with guilt? And what can a homecare system or homecare software do to help?
Step One: Accept Your Limitations
If you are coping with caregiver guilt, you may be searching for a “magic” cure that does not exist. Our ability to handle all that life throws at us changes over time, just as the needs of others around us change. At one time, you may have been more than capable of juggling a career, caregiving responsibilities, and your family. But circumstances change, we grow older, and suddenly what was working before is not working now. Accepting your limitations is a key element of eradicating feelings of guilt. Recognizing that you can’t do it all yourself will help release the guilt you feel when unrealistic expectations cannot be met.
Step Two: Share the Burden of Care
Remember the age-old adage “trouble shared is trouble halved”? Evenly distributing caregiver responsibilities is the only way to ensure that no one person becomes overburdened and overwhelmed. Utilizing professional home care services gives families the opportunity to spend time away from the world of caregiving. Relying on a quality homecare system or homecare software like ClearCare Online ensures that families stay completely involved in their loved ones care – even if they cannot physically be there.
ClearCare Online’s homecare system and homecare software requires caregivers to clock in to their shifts using the client’s home telephone. Assigned daily tasks must be updated before a caregiver can clock out. Verifying that the caregiver is where she is supposed to be and has completed all care tasks goes a long way in alleviating feelings of guilt.
Step Three: Take Time for Yourself
Although it may be easier said than done, it’s important to find time for yourself. Work hard to hold onto your hobbies and friendships. You will need these outlets to sustain you through the difficult days and to maintain your joy in life. You can’t give others your best when you are stretched so thin that you have nothing left to give. A homecare system or homecare software like ClearCare Online will reassure you that your loved ones are being cared for properly while you are away.
If you are struggling with feelings of guilt, talk to someone about your concerns. Sharing your feelings might help you put them into perspective. To learn more about a homecare system or homecare software might help you and your family, call 1-800-449-0645.
