COVID-19 Information - Click Here
Skip to Content
Homewatch CareGivers
LocationsIcon of Map Pin
  • Caregiver Jobs
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Care Community Blog
  • Contact Us
close
  • Back
  • Home
  • About Home Care
    • Back
    • What is Home Care
    • Types of Care
    • Financing Options
    • Cost
    About Home Care Homewatch CareGivers® believes good care should not interfere with your quality of life. We deliver the compassionate care our clients need to help complete day-to-day activities while still maintaining a healthy dose of independence.
  • Types of Care
    • Back
    • Elder Care
    • 24-Hour Care
    • Child Care
    • Respite Care
    • Senior Transportation Services
    • Companion Care
    • Hospital Discharge
    • Chronic Conditions Care
    • Dementia Care
    • Nursing Services
    • After Surgery Care
    • Personal Care
    Types of Care Our clients have many different reasons for requiring care, so we strive to provide services tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. Homewatch CareGivers delivers various types of in-home care that focus on the whole person—not just their condition.
  • Resources
    • Back
    • ALS
    • Arthritis
    • Dementia
    • Developmental Disabilities
    • Diabetes
    • Heart Disease
    • Parkinson's Disease
    • Senior Safety
    • Stroke
    • For Health Care Providers
    • Ask The Experts
  • Our Story
    • Back
    • Team Bios
    • Facts & History
    • National Quality Forum
    • In the Media
    • Home Care Association of America
    Our Story Homewatch CareGivers was founded on the concept of person-directed care: focusing on the specific needs of the individual and treating each client as a whole person, not just a condition. We strive to provide in-home care services that allow people to continue living safely and happily in their own homes.
  • Why Choose Us?
    • Back
    • Our Caregivers
    • Questions to Ask
    • Homewatch CareGivers University
    • Client Testimonials
    • In-Home Senior Safety
    Why Choose Us? Let our family care for yours. At Homewatch CareGivers, we value not only highly qualified caregiving services but also human interactions and relationships. Our people make the difference.
LocationsIcon of Map Pin

Family Caregiving: Are You Obligated?

Family Caregiving: Are You Obligated? Mar 31, 2017
Blog Categories
  • COVID-19
  • A Business with a cause
  • Addressing Isolation & Loneliness
  • Age at home
  • Age in place
  • Aging at Home
  • Aging Parent
  • aging parents
  • animal therapy
  • Anxiety Support
  • Best Home Care
  • Care for Aging Parents
  • Care for My Aging Parent
  • Caregiver
  • Caregiver Assistance
  • Caregiver Stress
  • caregiving assistance
  • caring star
  • caring star award
  • caring.com
  • caring.com award
  • Coping and Caregiving
  • Coronavirus
  • Cost of Care
  • Dementia
  • dementia care
  • Elderly Parent Care
  • Essential Caregiver Skills
  • Events
  • Falls Prevention
  • Family Caregiver
  • Financial Resources
  • Franchise
  • Franchising
  • handling caregiver stress
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Holiday Celebration
  • Home Care
  • Home Watch Caregivers
  • Homewatch CareGivers
  • how to manage caregiver stress
  • In-Home Safety
  • Job Fair
  • Local
  • Long Term Care
  • Long Term Care Options
  • National Public Health Week
  • New Office in New Haven
  • older parents
  • parents aging
  • Parkinson’s Symptoms
  • Passion of Caregiving
  • Pet Therapy
  • Planning Ahead
  • Provider Choice Award
  • Senior Care & Aging
  • Senior Exercise
  • service dog
  • Social Distancing
  • stress
  • therapy dog
  • top rated home care agency
  • wandering

There are two sides of the caregiving coin: one side is people who find it a blessing to give back and develop a deeper connection to elder loved ones as they become their companions and helpers; on the other side are the people whose own physical and mental health suffers as they sacrifice everything to provide care when a loved one is ill or disabled.

When an elderly parent needs care, adult children often feel a sense of obligation to do it all for their Mom or Dad.

“Many of these parents provided care to their own parents and expect that their children will do the same for them,” says Dr. Barry Jacobs, a clinical psychologist and co-author of “AARP Meditations for Caregivers.” “But a sense of fairness isn't something imposed by one family member on another; it ought to arise from discussions and, if need be, negotiations between family members to reach an accommodation that meets the caregiving and other family and individual needs.”

Are You Cut Out for This?

Not all family caregiving is created equal: it will depend on the needs or symptoms that someone has, and it will depend on the proximity, availability, and feasibility of the potential caregiver. Each family has its own dynamics, history, and hierarchy that will come into play too.

While there are many people who find fulfillment in being a family caregiver, it’s not for everyone. Topics on family caregiver forums include resentment, frustration, isolation, depression, along with requests for practical advice on a whole variety of personal issues related to caregiving that they are not trained to handle.

Dr. Jacobs is clear that not every parent and child should engage in a caregiving relationship.

“Even if there wasn't a bad relationship historically, there may be so much conflict between the caregiver and care recipient during caregiving that it is advisable for them to separate and [to find other solutions],” he says. “Sometimes, the caregiver's physical and/or mental health are so fragile that they can't safely take on the primary caregiving responsibilities without running the risk of harming themselves; they shouldn't sacrifice themselves in this manner.”

Say It Like You Mean It

There can be a lot of guilt for adult children who feel that they should do more—even if their parents refuse care—or that they aren’t doing things as well as they could.

Again, Dr. Jacobs’ prescribes good communication for all parties in order to address everyone’s concerns and needs. If someone cannot be a family caregiver, for whatever reason, it’s so important that he or she explain this to the others involved.

“I suggest that he or she be honest and forthright with himself, other family members and the care recipient about this,” he explains. “It is much better for the family members to know where a relative stands rather than to see that person fail to uphold a commitment implied or made.”

These decisions are not written in stone though and may change as a care recipient’s needs change over time. “A decision to not become a caregiver may hold for a period of time--for example, when that person is encumbered with other family responsibilities--or may hold for the entire period of caregiving. There are many family members who opt to not become a caregiver early on but who then step up later; conversely, there are those who start off gang-busters and then decrease their commitment if they become overwhelmed.”

Whether you are concerned about asking a loved one to be your caregiver or afraid you will be asked to step into this role, it can be a choice that is carefully and openly discussed to assure it’s in everyone’s best interests.
Posted By Homewatch CareGivers
  • Share
Blog Home - Previous Post | Next Post
More Posts Like This
  • It’s a Match! Caregiver-Client Relationships
    Feb 24, 2021

    It’s a Match! Caregiver-Client Relationships

    Caregiving is about more than just one person fulfilling a list of a tasks; it’s about human relationships and connection.

    Read More
  • Top Five Types of Home Care
    Feb 24, 2021

    Top Five Types of Home Care

    Home care is not just one thing, but instead an umbrella term under which there are many types of care for many different types of needs and people. Learn about elder care, respite care, personal care, dementia care, and after-surgery care.

    Read More
  • Developmental Disabilities and Home Care
    Feb 24, 2021

    Developmental Disabilities and Home Care

    People who are living with developmental disabilities often need a professional caregiver in addition to family member support.

    Read More
Homewatch CareGivers Caregiving Services
Find Your Location Homewatch CareGivers is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Help & Info
  • About Homecare
  • Types of Care
  • Financing Options & Programs
  • Our Resources
  • Owner Login
Our Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Caregiver Jobs
  • Blog
  • Franchise Opportunities
Other
  • National Homepage Homewatch CareGivers University Login Privacy Policy Site Map
  • Accessibility Notice
  • HIPAA Disclaimer
  • Do Not Sell My Information - California Residents
Follow Us On

Part of the Authority Brands Family

Authority Brands is the leading provider of in-home services, building brands that support the success of franchisees as well as better the lives of the homeowners we serve and the people we employ.
/
Copyright © 2021 | Homewatch CareGivers® is a trademark owned by Homewatch International, Inc.™ and licensed for use to independently-owned franchised businesses that offer caregiver services to the public. All personal services, elderly care, caregiving and home care services offered OR provided under the Homewatch CareGivers™ mark are offered and provided only by independently-owned franchises and, where required, licensed OR registered businesses and care agencies. Scorpion Franchise Internet Marketing
x

⚠

Your browser is out of date. To get the full experience of this website, please update to most recent version.

Update My Browser