When New Hampshire caregivers are providing care for an aging or chronically ill loved one, it can be an emotional rollercoaster. Honestly, we can’t think of an emotion that doesn’t come into play at some point during caregiving – and sometimes, a caregiver can run the whole gamut of emotions all within a day’s timeframe. Probably one of the heaviest feelings to manage, however, is guilt; feeling as though you should be doing more for your loved one and less for yourself.
If you’re a New Hampshire caregiver struggling with feelings of guilt, here are 3 simple tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid isolation. Talking about your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or professional counselor is crucial to see the situation from an objective perspective and to release the burden of carrying those feelings alone.
- Start a journal. It can be very therapeutic to write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal, but it is also beneficial because you can then read back over your journal entries and learn from what you have written. Don’t just write about the negative feelings. Also include positive comments. This can raise your spirits on days when you really need it.
- Learn from other people. Just because well-meaning neighbors, family and friends may have a lot of tips on how you should or should not be feeling, it does not mean they have the best tips. The strongest advice comes from those who have been in your shoes. Discovering a support group of other New Hampshire caregivers, in particular, a support group that contains loved ones sharing a similar diagnosis, can make life a lot easier.
You can count on Live Free Home Health Care’s professional caregivers to provide home health care New Hampton, NH families deserve. For more information and tips on caregiving for your older loved one, or to discuss questions about in-home respite care, give us a call today at 603-217-0149.