Setting limits does not mean a lack of love or caring. On the contrary, whatever you do to conserve your energy and preserve your strength will enhance rather than detract from your caregiving skills. In that sense, setting limits is the ultimate act of love for your care recipient. If you're in good health, you want to keep it. If your health is fragile, you want to stabilize it.
Studies show caregivers are at greater risk of illness, injury and emotional collapse.
Taking practical steps to reduce your caregiving load will help prevent your health from deteriorating. Recognizing the need for time to be with a spouse, friends, children or alone is a sign of strength, not weakness. Others can't do everything exactly the way you do, but they will do it in their own way. This does not mean that a poor substitute will suffice. It is important for you to settle on the qualities you consider most important in a paid caregiver and those open for compromise.