Caring for my dad full time is tough, but I feel guilty if I don’t: Ask Ellie
daughter caring for her father feels invisible asking for advice

Dear Readers: One of the most difficult relationships that readers write to me about — beyond couples’ crises, disaffected children or in-law wars — is that of being the spouse/lover/or adult child who becomes a loved one’s caregiver.

Here’s how one caregiver described her own situation:

Reader’s Commentary

“I’ve been looking after my dad full-time for two years. I can do it because I’m not currently working. He can reach the phone and contact me so I can go out for a few hours.

“Through government help, a personal support worker (PSW) stays with my dad for 16 hours each month so I can take that one break.

“But there are still so many chores to do that never end and from which I never get a break.

“Nobody (among family, friends, or neighbours) has offered to stay with my dad. I haven’t asked them because they haven’t offered.

Read more on The Star.

This is an external article from our library

Everyone is talking about caregiving, but it can still be difficult to find meaningful information and real stories that go deep. We read (and listen to and watch and look at) the best content about caregiving and bring you a curated selection.

Have a great story about care work? Use our contact form to submit it to us so we can share it with the community!

Related Articles

The caregiving trouble with siblings

The caregiving trouble with siblings

Vanishing Sibling Syndrome or V.S.S. It is probably NOT something a lot of people talk about when it comes time to plan for eldercare of a loved...

Popular categories

Finances
Burnout
After Caregiving
Housing
Relationships
Finding Meaning
Planning
Dying
Finding Support
Work
Grief

Don't see what you're looking for? Search the library

Share your thoughts

0 Comments

Share your thoughts and experiences

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join our communities

Whenever you want to talk, there’s always someone up in one of our Facebook communities.

These private Facebook groups are a space for support and encouragement — or getting it off your chest.

Join our newsletter

Thoughts on care work from Cori, our director, that hit your inbox each Monday morning (more-or-less).

There are no grand solutions, but there are countless little ways to make our lives better.

Share your insights

Caregivers have wisdom and experience to share. Researchers, product developers, and members of the media are eager to understand the nature of care work and make a difference.

We have a group specifically to connect you so we can bring about change.