I am new to this group and now I think I know how to use this web site. I care for my elderly husband and am glad to do it but somethimes the stress just gets to me and this last week has been bad. He is kind, caring and a sweetie but sometimes the demands of doing "it all" just get me down. I am able to get out during the day at times but worry about him falling while I am gone. He is very careful and uses his walker but the responsibility is sometimes a lot to carry. I just need a support group to talk to when it gets to be a little too much.
Happy to hear you are doing better. Caregiving is a hard job and sometimes we get lost in it all.
Being paid caregivers, we also have the added stress of answering to families. We can not ( or should not ) raise our voice in anger or frustration, set down and have a good cry, slam a door, or stomp across the floor. If we do those things we are considered abusive.
We know what we are getting into in this field of work, but we are not robots, and thank God for this sight, where we can raise our voice in anger or frustration, have a good cry, ect. and others understand and hopefully are not judgmental.
The feelings are the same, regardless of the situation.
So you take care of yourself, and keep posting. I want to know how things work out for you. God Bless.
The most important thing is for us to take care of ourselves. So you do what is right for you. This can be a very isolating job, and no matter the circumstances, it is a job. A hard job.
I wish you prayers and thoughts as you make a decision that is right for you. Let us know what your decision is. No matter what we are here for you. God bless
welcome to this sight. You will get a lot of support here. I am, at this time a paid caregiver and understand how you feel . But I also feel so much compassion for those that take care of family 24/7 with NO break.
That is not to say our feelings aren't just as important, because, at times we have the added stress of answering to families.
As far as you going to another job, only you can make that decision. I stay with my clients because all in all the family is very good to me. It has taken a year to get where we are as far as routine, trust, and me being able to set boundries and limits with my client.
You didn't say if there were any medical problems with your client or if she has dememtia or what. Let us know what you are dealing with.
I do all the things you spoke about also, but I do it out of boredom. I was hired to help my client and possibly mop once a week. I took on other things, as I said, out of boredom. Could not just set all day. But I also do other things on my own time, such as get their groceries, do the Wal-Mart run, because I get paid very good and am loyal to the family.
My client does things that makes me nuts and I get on here and vent. I get good solutions and alot of support.
So I wish you well in making your decision. The advantage we have is being able to pick and choose. I always go back to remembering how much others on this sight deal with on a day to day basis, and understand that no matter what goes on during my day, I get a break.
Maybe ararrangments can be made for you to take time off more often.
have you always been a caregiver or is this something new or something you chose to do for a living. More information will help others and me to help you better.
Keep posting, this is a great sight and I am glad you are here.