March 20, 2014
The role of family caregiver is a special one, but it also often comes with a stigma that the caregiver is a saint or a superhero of sorts. This stigma can put a huge amount of pressure on the caregiver, adding to the stress he or she already faces from daily caregiving. Family caregivers frequently find themselves overwhelmed by trying to balance caring for a loved one with their own personal lives as well, and when not everything goes perfectly, it can feel devastating. The trick to getting life back on track? Let go of the superhero role. These articles from the Huffington Post and AARP offer some great advice and hope for family caregivers who feel like they’re stretched too thin.
Taking over the care of a parent can be a challenging and often stressful time. While caring for your parents, it is important to remember that while they do rely on you for many things, they still have rights. Take a look at this list of rights for parents of adult children to help guide you in your role as both a caregiver and a child.