Dealing with the Guilt of Hiring an Elderly Care Professional in Indianapolis, IN

I’m not usually the type of person who feels guilty for the things that happen to others. In fact, I believe that we make our own beds through the choices we make and we are responsible for them. However, when my mother was diagnosed with dementia and it became clear that she wouldn’t be able to live on her own for much longer, I was faced with a number of options when it came to elderly care.

I lived just around the corner from my mother. It was just one of those things that happened to work out that way, and it allowed me to spend some quality time with my father, when I was an adult, and it was great to do that before we lost him. I didn’t spend a lot of one on one time with my mother, though. We just weren’t as close as she was Elderly Care in Indianapolis, INto my sister. So when my mother received the diagnosis, the first thing that my sister asked was when I would start checking in on our mother regularly.

I stepped back, told her I’d call her back, and began to think about that. Did I really want to be an elderly care provider to my mother? Did I really need that level of responsibility, considering that I had a lot of other things going on?

It wasn’t that I couldn’t, though, and I think that’s where the guilt began to surface, at least for me. I knew that I could, at least during the initial stages of the disease. I could easily have stopped by on a regular basis to check in on her and I could have told her that if she needed anything, she should just call me and I’d be there. But I didn’t want to.

I had read that family caregivers didn’t always make the best ones. My mother needed a level of care that I couldn’t provide. She deserved to have the type of elder care provider who had experience working with people suffering from dementia and other ailments. I didn’t know what to expect and I knew that I would lose my patience too quickly. I still felt guilty about not being willing to offer any assistance.

However, once we hired elderly care, I was quickly assured that this was the best decision. They told me that even if I had been willing to provide that level of care for my mother, it wouldn’t be the best care that she needed, so we had done the right thing. Sometimes, all you need to remove the guilt you’re feeling is surround yourself with truth. I did and I know it was the right decision.

The caregivers at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your senior care needs. Great Care is an elderly care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.

About Julie Sullivan

Julie Sullivan is the Owner at GreatCare of Indianapolis IN.
GreatCare is a licensed, personal services agency, providing in-home care services to the Indianapolis, Indiana and surrounding areas. We serve the personal health and daily care needs of seniors or individuals who prefer to stay at home, but require assistance with everyday activities, such as dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, laundry or errands. Our team of certified nurse aids and home health aids can provide you with personalized, in-home care services to meet your needs, including:
Daytime hourly in-home care
Temporary or post-hospital respite care
24-hour, around-the-clock home care
Morning and evening care
Overnight / Slumber care
In addition, we offer our Care Compass service, to assist in setting the course for the next stage in your loved ones life. We guide you through the currents of aging, and help you find your true north. Our licensed nurses, with experience in hospice and geriatric care, will help guide you through the complex and often sensitive journey of selecting an in-home care service, and will provide a smooth transition to a new way of life for your loved one, without the anxiety and fear.

Our current nursing and management team has more than 75 years of combined experience in the home healthcare services industry. All of our caregivers are bonded, insured and screened thoroughly, so you know you’ll be receiving the greatest care possible. That’s why we stand by our mission: to deliver the same, quality care we expect for ourselves and our loved ones.
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