Elder Law Group Blog

Coping With The Emotions of Caregiving

Jul 19, 2017 | News

The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the AARP Public Policy Institute conducted a study to “present a portrait of unpaid family caregivers today.” The study, Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 estimates that 39.8 million Americans care for an aging adult every year. On average, caregivers spend just over 24 hours a week providing care to their loved one, while 23% provide 41 or more hours of care a week.
It can be physically and emotionally taxing to be a caregiver. In fact, the study found that people caring for a close relative, such as a spouse or parent, are at a much greater risk of declining health as a result of caregiving. Four in ten caregivers surveyed considered their situation to be “highly stressful.”
If you’re a caregiver and struggling with difficult emotions, you’re not alone.
Coping With The Emotions of Caregiving
You may have heard this from your doctor, friends, or relatives, but it bears repeating: it is important to take time to take care of yourself. This means different things to different people. Maybe it means taking walks in nature, spending time with friends, or doing other activities that bring joy into your life.
It is normal for caregivers to experience difficult emotions as a result of their caregiving duties. NextAvenue, a PBS system media outlet for aging Americans, shares The 7 Deadly Emotions of Caregiving by Paula Spencer Scott. In her article, Scott goes over tips for coping with many of the difficult feelings that come with caring for another.
Here are just a few tips from her article:

  • Guilt: For many caregivers guilt is unavoidable. Even with the best intentions, your time, resources, and skills are limited. If you’re struggling with feelings of guilt, Scott says to “try to get comfortable with that gap between perfection and reality instead of beating yourself up over it.”
  • Resentment: This is a difficult emotion for people to admit to or talk about. Scott encourages caregivers to talk about any feelings of resentment with a trusted confidante. Sometimes getting it out can bring some relief.
  • Loneliness: Intense demands on your time can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. If you’re feeling this way, consider joining a caregiver support group. Also, reach out to your friends and try to plan at least one outside activity every week.

Learn more about the difficult emotions caregivers may face and tips on how to cope with them here.
Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorneys
Elder Law Group PLLC has been recognized as one of the fastest growing law firms in the U.S. as an Annual Law Firm 500 Award honoree. Contact us or call (509) 468-0551 (Spokane office), or (509) 579-0206 (Tri-Cities office), for personal, compassionate, and competent guidance on Long-Term Care planning, Asset Protection Estate Planning TM, or other legal needs of seniors, the disabled, or vulnerable adults and their families.
 

Preserving Your Hard-Earned Assets For Your Spouse

During your career, you worked hard and acquired certain assets. You want both you and your spouse to enjoy the fruits of your labor for the remainder of your lives. The last thing you want to worry about is losing your life’s work to estate taxes, long-term care...

Five Reasons Unmarried Partners Need Estate Plans

If you’re not married, but in a relationship, you might be surprised to learn that your  partner could have legal rights to your estate upon your death.   Committed Intimate Relationship Doctrine: When unmarried persons live together as  a couple...

3 Lessons Parents Teach Their Children That Relate to End-of-Life

If you have children, you know that being a parent is both rewarding and challenging.  During the course of your child’s life, you have stepped into the role of doctor,  counselor, friend and comforter. But one of the biggest roles you will play during...
Elder Law Group Logo

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Please subscribe to learn more about how Estate Planning can protect you, your family and your money.

You have Successfully Subscribed!