Taking the Guilt Out of Seeking Caregiver Help
April 3, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Caring for a family member afflicted with Alzheimer’s can be very stressful and wearing on the caregiver. However, some feel very guilty when they seek help. They think it’s their duty to care for a parent or spouse…on their own, without help from other family members or the outside world.
No one is fully prepared for these unexpected situations in their life. Also, for each person it is different…how they react, how the Alzheimer’s patient reacts, the caregiver’s capabilities and other responsibilities, the degree of care the patient needs.
However, if:
*You find you’re always tired
*You feel you have no time of space for yourself
*You find family and friends having less or no time to help
*You or others in your household have serious medical conditions
*You are becoming resentful with what you have to do
*You feel at a loss as far as knowing what to do
Then seek out some of the resources in your community and online to help you cope and find solutions. Sometimes you find more resources in some areas than others. However, don’t feel guilty about seeking help and saying, “I can’t do everything!”
Imperative, too, is taking care of yourself.
How have you found help in caring for the Alzheimer’s patient in your family?
©2008 Mary Emma Allen
