How to Manage Guilt About Assisted Living Decisions
Is a recent decision about assisted living bringing overwhelming guilt to your life? Is your mental health declining now that a decision has been made?
When it comes to such life-altering decisions, knowing how to manage guilt is vital to the success of both you and your loved one finding happiness.
You don't have to figure it out alone. We're here to help you figure out ways to alleviate and accept guilt so that you can focus on the good. Keep reading to learn more about easing guilt when making care decisions.
Understand the Reasons for Caregiver Guilt
Sometimes, the key to accepting guilt is to understand why it's happening in the first place. It's common for caregivers to feel a sense of guilt when making assisted living decisions, but it's a problem when that guilt becomes overwhelming and all-consuming.
Take time to pinpoint the exact emotions you're feeling so you can analyze them and approach them with a clearer head.
Write down those reasons and then pretend you're talking to a friend rather than yourself. Would you tell a friend that they're letting their family member down with the decision? Would you tell a friend that they're giving in to weakness by providing their loved one with better care?
Remember to take a step back and see the issue at its core - it can give you a better understanding of the entire situation.
Focus On the Benefits
Easing guilt in caregiving means that you need to put your focus on the benefits of the transition. What will your loved one gain by moving to assisted living? How will the move change your loved one's life for the better?
Aspects to focus on include:
- Reliable personalized care
- Improved safety
- Frequent senior activities and events
- Socialization opportunities
- Scheduled nutritional and delicious meals
- Access to health and wellness programs
- Community outings
Assisted living will add many lasting benefits to your loved one's life. Try to put your focus on those ideas rather than the fact that you won't be the one actively applying those benefits.
Communicate
Communication is necessary when making senior care choices, and it's no different when it comes to the emotions involved. Tell your family members how you're feeling and invite them to share as well.
This can help pave the way to emotional understanding. The potential for resentment or unease is harder to find when both sides understand where the other person is coming from.
Don't forget to keep communication going strong once the move is complete. Both you and your loved one will appreciate the greater connection and find better happiness because of it.
Emphasize the Exciting Possibilities
Assisted living presents a big change in your family, and change is never completely comfortable for anyone. An effective method to help alleviate this discomfort is to focus on the possibilities that bring excitement.
For example, the variety of senior activities and events can be a fun thing to focus on. The senior in your life might not have access to so many recreational things without making the move to assisted living.
Look into the community's calendar and find specific activities that spark interest to bring a sense of anticipation.
Join a Support Group
If guilt becomes too much, you might need to seek professional help. Needing outside therapy is a common response when such big changes happen. It can be a huge benefit for everyone involved, so don't be afraid to bring everyone who is feeling guilt.
The good news is that there are plenty of options for emotional support for families.
Whether you prefer one-on-one talks with an expert or a group setting with like-minded people, there's a solution for every situation. Finding the right fit can take some experimentation, but it'll be worth the effort once your family gets the help it needs to resolve the overwhelming emotional distress.
Practice Self-Care Techniques
Do you engage in self-care habits that can alleviate stress and help you find a better headspace? Although the decision about assisted living may directly affect the senior in your life, it's important to recognize that it affects you as well.
Once you notice that dark thoughts are becoming a problem, it's time to try and offset them with your favorite self-care technique. Such techniques could include:
- Indulging in a beloved hobby
- Talking with a friend or family member
- Meditation
- Deep breathing exercises
- Building a support system
- Taking a break or vacation
- Watching a movie
- Taking a relaxing bath or shower
The best part about these techniques is that, once you implement them into your life, they can provide unlimited help in other difficult situations. They'll be a learned skill you can use throughout every aspect of your life that causes anxiety, stress, or guilt.
Visit Frequently
An impactful way to ease the transition into assisted living is to visit your loved one as much as possible. This will help them acclimate to the new surroundings, and it can help ease your sense of guilt.
You'll get the chance to see your loved one thrive as they enjoy the community's unique offerings. You'll see that things have changed for the better and that you were right in guiding the decision towards this change.
Plus, frequent visits will tie your family closer together and remind your loved one that you still want to be a constant part of their life. It's a win-win situation for everyone, so make sure to learn the visiting schedule of the senior community so you can make visits happen often.
Get More Advice on How to Manage Guilt
When you choose a senior living community that cares as much as you do, learning how to manage guilt is much easier. Not only will the right assisted living community bring comfort and safety to your loved one, but they'll also provide aid for you.
Crown Cove Senior Living's Executive Director has worked in senior living for over 20 years. With her guidance and our passionate staff, we provide personalized care, engaging activities, cozy amenities, and more. Contact us today, and we'll take the journey into assisted living together!