Infographic: Feeling Guilty? You Are Not Alone

A look at factors behind why adult children experience caregiver guilt

Mother and Daughter sharing an emotional moment on a bench outside

Do you ever feel jealous of your friends who are able to go out and do things that you can no longer do because of your caregiving responsibilities? What about anxiety because things are out of control and you do not know how to bring them back into control? Think you are not doing a good enough job as a caregiver?

You are not alone.

The Emotional Side of Caregiving

Whether you become a caregiver gradually or all of sudden due to a crisis or whether you are a caregiver willingly or by default, many emotions surface when you take on the job of caregiving. According to Caregiving in the U.S., nearly half of caregivers consider their caregiving situation to be emotionally stressful. 

The Problem with False Guilt

If there is one emotion that nearly anyone caring for an aging loved one can count on, it is guilt. Caregivers often burden themselves with a long list of self-imposed oughts, shoulds, and musts. Sometimes known as “false guilt” or “disproportionate guilt,” this type of guilt only makes you even harder on yourself than you already are, which is not helpful to anyone.

The Stats to Help You Overcome It

Guilt is an ever-present emotion for many family caregivers for a variety of reasons:

  • Guilt they have done something wrong
  • Guilt they are not spending enough time with their parent
  • Guilt that they are not taking care of themselves
  • Guilt over feeling like they want this to end

But it does not have to be.

It helps to examine the ideas that underlie your guilt and consider whether they make sense to you. The following infographic outlines contributing factors behind why adult children experience caregiver guilt.

Feeling Guilty? You Are Not Alone

How to Cope with Caregiver Guilt