Caregivers may also experience sibling rivalry, income loss, isolation, fatigue, burnout, and resentment. Resist the temptation to let the illness always take center stage, or to be drawn into guilt-inducing conversations with people who think you should be doing more. Join a caregiver support group, either disease-related like the Alzheimer's Association or Gilda's Club, or a more general support group like The Well Spouse Foundation. Ask the social services department at your hospital for advice. Acknowledge anger and express it constructively by keeping a journal or talking to an understanding friend or family member.
Anger is a normal reaction to powerlessness.
When people offer to help, give them a specific assignment. And then, take time to do what energizes you and make a point of rewarding yourself. Remember that people who are critically ill are self-absorbed. If your empathy fails you and you lose patience, make amends and forgive yourself. All rights reserved.