Senior Care in Cook County

When You Feel Guilty About Needing Help

Being a caregiver for a loved one is a huge responsibility—and sometimes you just need extra help. At Visiting Angels^® Tifton, we often work alongside family caregivers when administering senior care in Cook County. We know how easy it is to feel guilty about needing help. 

Let's take a look at a few common sources of guilt, plus how you can address them. 

3 Common Sources of Caregiver Guilt 

If you're agonizing over the decision to introduce professional care, you're not alone. It's often worth looking at the source of your guilt, to better understand why you feel this way. Here are a few common answers:  

• You worry you're doing a bad job. It's very easy to start feeling like you've failed as a caregiver if you're searching for outside help. You may look at other family caregivers in Cook County and wonder how they manage to do it easily. Or, you may simply believe that if you rearrange your responsibilities, you can handle it all. 
  
  The reality is, you've shouldered a tremendous amount of work already. The last thing you should do is give yourself grief. Almost all family caregivers struggle at one point or another. If you need support, it's important to get it. 
   
• Your loved one is resistant to professional support. If your family member has already expressed resistance to hiring senior care in the Cook County area, it can be guilt-inducing to contemplate the option. You may not feel like it's appropriate to override their wishes. 
  
  It's important to navigate professional care thoughtfully, especially if your loved one is apprehensive. Ultimately, however, remember that most seniors quickly adjust to having in-home care services—and appreciate the companionship and support it provides.
   
• You don't know what others will say. You might worry about what the rest of your family will say. Are they going to criticize you for getting help? Are they going to understand why you need it? 
  
  Remember that your other family members simply don't know the day-to-day realities of your struggles. Often, if they say something unkind or thoughtless, they may be trying to lighten their own feelings of guilt. The priority is to get support for your loved one while making sure you're not drowning, too. 

Your Choice For Senior Care in Cook County 

Our senior care team offers support to families in: 

• Cook County
• Vienna
• Tifton
• Ashburn
• Unadilla
• Cordele
• And throughout the surrounding area

If you have questions or concerns about senior care in Cook County, we're here to help. Contact Visiting Angels Tifton to set up a free consultation today.