Graceland Assisted Living San Antonio, Texas

One of the most difficult things for caregivers to accept is the wide range of emotions that come with their voluntary job. A lot of them deny the sadness and anger that comes with helping care for a loved person in a state of mental decline. It is very important for caregivers to validate themselves and their work, to not forget to remind themselves of the good, hard work that they do.

"Anger is an emotional response to a grievance, real or imaginary, in the past, present or future. The pain of anger is very real. If we don't know how to relieve it the right way, we will react to it in ways that make things worse instead of better. Acceptance isn't the same as liking it, and acceptance doesn't mean we aren't allowed to get angry. You, as caregivers, have every right to feel all of your emotions and to let them out. You're entitled to bad days--no judgment or apology necessary.”

Anger is said to be a “secondary emotion”, and stems from embarrassment, insecurity, fear, and emotional/physical pain. It is important for people giving so much of themselves not to lose themselves in their work. Caregivers have to take care of themselves, in order to provide good, loving care for the ones they love. Acceptance is healthy, denial is dangerous.

J Green
Trilogy Senior Living
Sodalis Elder Living Communities