Coping with Guilt as a Distance Caregiver

Caregiver guilt is something that many family caregivers cope with throughout their care journey with their aging parent. This guilt, however, may be more intense if you live at a distance from your senior. Living too far away from your parent to be in the home with them regularly can leave you feeling as though you are not doing enough for them or that you are not fulfilling their needs and challenges in the way that they need.

Finding effective ways to cope with this guilt is an important part of maintaining your own mental and emotional health while also making sure that you are the highest quality caregiver possible for your elderly parent throughout their later years.

Home Care Services Lexington NC – Coping with Guilt as a Distance Caregiver

Use these tips to help you cope with guilt as a distance caregiver:

Ask your parent to be honest with you. Much of guilt stems from feeling as though you are not giving your parent the level of care that they need. Do not feel as though you need to instinctively know what your parent needs. Ask them to be honest with you, telling you everything that they need and how you can help them. This will enable you to craft your care efforts more confidently.

Trust yourself. Even if you ask your parent to tell you everything that they need, continue to trust yourself and your instincts. If you believe that they have other needs, take steps to address those as well.

Start home care services. A professional home care services provider can be extremely valuable for you as you care for your senior from a distance. This care provider can fulfill care needs that your parent needs managed on a regular basis when you are not able to be there, and can also provide companionship and emotional support that helps to support their mental health and well-being.

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can be challenging and stressful. Fortunately, home care services can be a meaningful and valuable solution for your care routine. An in-home care services provider can step in to support your care efforts, fill care gaps, and provide services that you cannot handle on your own due to your own challenges and limitations or because you or your parent are not comfortable with you handling them.

This care provider can also be a valuable source of companionship and support, offering your parent greater mental and emotional stimulation, boosting their mental and emotional health, and encouraging them to live a lifestyle that is more engaged and fulfilling as they age in place. This can offer you tremendous peace of mind as you know that they are getting all of the care that they need while also allowing you to focus on your own needs and other obligations and responsibilities in your life.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Lexington NC, please contact the caring staff at TenderHearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.