"Caring for those who care for others"
The Guiltless Caregiver Community
& Resource Center
We are Caregivers...
“There are only four kinds of people
in the world,
Those who have been caregivers.
Those who are currently caregivers.
Those who will be caregivers,
and those who will need a caregiver.”
— Rosalynn Carter
Caregiving can be a rewarding and yet challenging endeavor. It takes patience, compassion and love to be an effective caregiver.
We as caregivers experience the joy of seeing our loved one's being taken care of in the most considerate and affectionate way.
But then there are times when the task seems quite unmanageable or nearly unbearable because of the physical, mental or emotional condition of the ones being cared for. Often times, it leaves the long term caregiver feeling unnecessarily guilty. Sound familiar?
Guiltless Caregiving
As the condition of caregiving progresses from "the good" to "the ugly", as it often does, there is little comfort or support for us as caregivers. It is said that sometimes the caregivers suffer as much or more than the ones being cared for.
It can be a lonely existence that only other long-term caregivers can immediately recognize and perhaps genuinely empathize with us.
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But who's looking for sympathy? Not us! We are looking for help, support, a much needed break in the daily war that's being waged on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It's as if we are going down a seemingly endless tunnel with no light at the end.
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And the occasional thoughts of "how or when is this ever going to end" leave us sometimes feeling bitter, resentful and finally guilty for having dared to feel or think that way.
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Welcome to the Guiltless Caregiver's Community.
"We are here for
each other...
We are here for YOU!"
Feelings of guilt are common among caregivers.
Be assured, though, that we are performing an essential but very difficult job. Accept the fact that we will not always react perfectly in word or in deed. Do not allow feelings of guilt to prevent taking positive action now. When we feel upset about something said or done, we will very likely find that saying “I’m sorry” will make us and the patient feel better. One man who cared for a sick relative advised: “Do the best you can under the circumstances.”
“DON’T be distressed by negative thoughts about yourself. They are normal under such circumstances. Certainly, you shouldn’t bottle up your feelings. Confide in someone about how you feel, and if you can, take a break—go away for a while—so that you can feel refreshed.
Many caregivers are plagued by feelings of guilt. Sometimes the guilt comes on the heels of anger—that is, they feel guilty because they feel angry at times. Such emotions may drain them to the point that they feel they can’t go on.
If these feelings remain unspoken, they could be damaging to both the caregiver and the patient. The Guiltless Caregiver is here to support caregivers wherever they are, emotionally. Our hope is not that we will feel totally "guiltless", but through our concerns and services, we can all feel LESS guilt ; Guilt-less.
—Contributed
“We Care for those
who Care for Others.”
