You’re Not a Terrible Person If You’ve Secretly Wished Your Ill Loved One Could Die
Every so often, someone will admit that they secretly wish the person they’re caring for would pass away. Often, this person is sick, suffering, and difficult to care for. The caregiver merely wants to have their life back and see their care recipient’s pain and low quality of life come to an end. Of course, those who admit to having this dark thought wonder if that makes them a terrible person. Being a family caregiver is fraught with countless difficult emotions, and this is perhaps one of the hardest to grapple with.
New Caregivers Are Driven By Love and Hope
Most of these caregivers are decent people who care deeply about their elderly parents, spouses, and other loved ones who require their assistance. As so many of us do, they have taken on the responsibility of caregiving out of love. Our help is needed, so we jump in without a thought. We have no idea that this role could last for years or even decades. It doesn’t occur to us that this decision could jeopardize our relationships, our careers, our health or our finances, but that is the reality for most.
Many families are suddenly thrust into caregiving when a loved one experiences a medical setback or receives a serious diagnosis. Everyone goes into crisis mode. This person can no longer live alone safely, but nobody wants them to move to a long-term care facility – at least not yet. So, a family member steps up or is nominated as the primary caregiver.
Everyone is on an adrenaline high while making these decisions, but eventually, reality sets in. The primary caregiver, usually an adult child, is left alone as other family members go back to their lives. They are left to manage kids, possibly a marriage, a career, hands-on care, doctor’s appointments, medical bills and so much more with little or no help.
The Impact of Long-Term Caregiving: According to the Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 study conducted by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, the average duration of caregiving is four years. However, nearly one in four caregivers (24 percent) provide care for five years or more. As this role drags on, the caregiver’s personal life begins to spiral. Their significant other and kids begin to resent their focus on this ill family member. Their performance at work suffers, and their employer is…
