Guilt

[hinton4jesus]

Hi all,

My name is Rita and I am new to the Christian Forums. This is my first post here on this site.

I have a question for caregivers of loved ones. I am 38 years old, single and the sole caretaker of my grandmother. She is like a mother to me and I love her dearly but due to her increasing health care needs and my own (multiple sclerosis/PCOS for me), I have decided to place my grandmother into a nursing home.

My question is this: how you cope with the overwhelming guilt. I feel like I failed my gran but not being able to care for her, and she doesn't completely understand why I have to. She is in the beginning stages of alzheimer's and is now completely bedfast.

I battle clinical depression and this guilt is horrible. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and God bless you!!!

 

[Criada]

Guilt is such a horrible emotion!
I'm sorry that you are in this situation
All you can do is keep reminding yourself that it is in her best interests... she needs care that you will be increasingly unable to provide, and you would feel worse if she was at home and you couldn't care for her properly.
My father has alzheimer's... it makes it even harder to explain why they need nursing care.
But, you have nothing to reproach yourself for.. it sounds as though you have done all you can for your grandmother. In time she will adjust to her new home, and you will feel better about it.

Praying for you, and for her.

 

[BlessEwe]

I agree with Criada.
I have taken care of a couple of people with alzheimer's and it is not easy. Many times they wander off and get lost, or hurt.
What you are doing is protecting her, because you love her.
24/7 care is needed, and now you can take the time to be with her without the 100% stress. It is not like you are dumping her and forgetting about her, but you are referring out for the best care possible. Taking care of the both of you.