Senior Care in Westerly

When You Feel Guilty About Needing Help

Looking after a loved one can be incredibly meaningful work—but it comes with lots of challenges, too. There may be a time when you need outside support. For family caregivers in Westerly, having the assistance of professional senior care can reduce your difficulties significantly. 

It can be tough to acknowledge that you need help. Often, family caregivers struggle with feelings of guilt about getting help. Let's take a look at what you can do about these emotions.

What To Do About Caregiver Guilt 

At Visiting Angels^® Warwick, we work alongside family caregivers throughout Westerly and the area. We understand the complexity of feelings that occur when you're taking care of a loved one. If you're feeling guilty about needing support, here's what you can try: 

• Take a good look at it. When you feel guilty, there's almost always a reason for that guilt. Sometimes that reason is grounded in a meaningful concern, and sometimes it comes from fear or anxiety. Whatever the case, don't ignore your guilt. Try to identify the cause of it.  
• Talk to people who know. Not everyone will understand what you're going through. That's why it's important to find people who do. Online or in-person support groups can be a helpful outlet for family caregivers. You may be surprised to learn that you're not alone in navigating these situations or concerns. 
• Keep a journal. It's hard to truly appreciate the amount of work and emotion that goes into looking after a family caregiver. Keeping a journal can help you document some of that. Track how you're feeling, what you've done for the day, and what needs to be done. This can help you understand how much you do—and why you need help.
• Explore your options. You don't have to commit to senior care right away. It's always worthwhile to discuss your options with an agency in the Westerly area. Maybe you and your loved one can start small, with weekly or monthly support from a professional. Either way, talking through your choices can help to ease the pressure. 

Your Trusted Partners For Senior Care in Westerly 

You shouldn't have to take on caregiving alone. Our senior care agency offers comprehensive and flexible options for families in: 

• Westerly
• Coventry
• West Warwick
• Scituate
• South Kingstown
• And throughout the surrounding area

Learn more about your options for senior care in Westerly. To get started, schedule a consultation with Visiting Angels Warwick today.