Dementia Caregivers carry a lot of weight on their shoulders. Be it their job or the whole journey, caregivers sometimes succumb to the negativity around them. But do you know what adds up to the stress level of a care worker? Guilt.
It is this dementia caregiver guilt that acts as an invisible load on the conscience. The recent statistics also show that almost 15% of caregivers fall prey to guilt and 44% go through emotional strain.
So, is there a way out to overcome caregiver anger and resentment? Yes, there is and the points below will help shine a light on those areas in detail.
5 Sources of Dementia Caregiver Guilt and WaysTo Tackle It
- Feeling Guilty of Not Doing The Job Well:
One of the basic reasons why caregivers feel guilty is the stack of unreal expectations, and the work schedule they adhere to.
What To Do In Such Situations:
If a caregiver finds himself or herself in this situation, then it is better to ditch the word “Perfect”. Instead, focus on achievable goals and this will help in dealing with caregiver stress in a better way.
- Losing Patience:
There are many instances in a day that transpires into a caregiver losing patience.
What To Do In Such Situations:
First of all, you need to make yourself realize that you are human and bound to commit mistakes. Stop yourself from reaching the end, take a break, and channel energy into doing things that make you happy.
- Having No Time For Myself:
Caregiving is a job where you put the other person’s needs before yourself. This is a sign of love, but sometimes we do forget about ourselves in the whole journey.
What To Do In Such Situations:
Get enough rest, eat meals that you love, and spare time for yourself. This will help you sustain and deal with caregiver burnout in a better way.
- Getting Angry or Frustrated:
Caregivers also succumb to emotions such as anger and frustrations due to the punishing work schedule. This can hamper the overall well-being of both the patient and the caregiver.
What To Do In Such Situations:
Vent out the emotions in front of a friend. Let the anger subside naturally and in this way, you can be at peace with yourself.
- Having No Support:
Last but not least, every person needs a support system in life. This applies to caregivers as well since they need someone to rely upon.
What To Do In Such Situations:
Connect with others who are in a similar situation. Share stories or hear from others. This will make you feel better and empower you to deal with caregiver frustration better.
Guilt is like a slow poison that makes us feel we have failed in every way. Thus, to keep going, put your best foot forward and start appreciating your efforts. Reach for help to sustain yourself emotionally and physically. If you are in a good place, your patient will only benefit from it.
We, at TriBeCa, are always happy to help you and your families. For any related assistance, you can either request a callback or call us at + 913366064208. You can also email us at enquiry@newwpsite.tribecacare.com.