A Guide for Stressed Out Superheroes

Hey There, Caregiving Superhero!

If you’re here, odds are you’ve recently Googled “Can you die from too much caregiving?” at 2 a.m., followed by “Is it normal to feel furious at everyone?”

1. you are not alone.

2. you are our kind of person.

At North Shore Care Management, we know caregiving isn’t just a task—it’s a full-contact emotional sport. It’s unpaid, un-Instagrammable, and somehow makes you feel both guilty for not doing enough and resentful for doing too much. Let’s dig into how you can manage the emotional stress that caregiving so generously bestows, armed with a warm hug and a few reality checks.

The Emotional and Mental Strain

You’re juggling more than most professional circus performers. From managing your loved one’s medications to keeping track of which insurance form is due when, it’s easy to feel like a soggy cocktail napkin slowly disintegrating under the weight of it all.

Burnout, guilt, and that creeping sense of isolation? Oh, they’ll RSVP to this party whether you invite them or not.

Real-Life Chronicles: Meet Jeanine

Jeanine is a full-time caregiver for her dad, who has dementia and a stubborn refusal to eat anything that isn’t shaped like a grilled cheese sandwich. Jane adores her father. But between managing his care, wrangling her own kids, and navigating the DMV-level bureaucracy of elder care services, Jane sometimes dreams of running away to an undisclosed beach location. Alone. With no one asking her to fix the Wi-Fi.

Why You’re Crying in the Grocery Store)

• Burnout: That charming feeling when you are both exhausted and somehow responsible for everyone else's happiness.

• Guilt: For wanting a break. For thinking "I can't do this anymore." For wondering if Walgreens sells a "Caregiver of the Year" trophy you can ironically buy yourself.

• Isolation: Because conversations with friends now feel like you’re broadcasting from an alternate caregiving universe they can't quite reach.

• Anxiety: Every time the phone rings after 10 p.m.

• Depression: Because sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, it’s just really, really hard.
  

Coping Strategies

• Join a Support Group: People who won’t look at you blankly when you say, “If Dad tries to flush his dentures again, I’m out.”

• Practice Self-Care: This can mean reading a book, taking a walk, or hiding in your car with a latte for 20 minutes longer than necessary.

• Talk to a Therapist: Highly recommended. Therapists are like emotional housekeepers—you tell them about the mess, and they help you sort it out.

• Accept Help: From family, friends, professionals, kindly strangers. If someone offers to mow the lawn, hand them the keys to the lawnmower and say, "Bless you."

• Set Boundaries: It’s okay to say no. It's also okay to say, “I would love to discuss this further, but right now is not the time."

Emotional Support for Seniors and Caregivers

Sometimes you both need a breather:

• Respite Care: Think of it as daycare for grownups—except with more Bingo and fewer glue sticks.

• Counseling Services: Because even saints need someone to talk to.

• Educational Resources: Understanding what’s happening can make it all slightly less terrifying.

You Are NOT Alone

Caregiving isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s messy, maddening, and—somehow—one of the most loving things you’ll ever do. But you don’t have to do it alone. (And you definitely don’t have to pretend it’s easy.)

At North Shore Care Management, we’re here to walk this road with you. To hand you a water bottle, a map, and a permission slip to rest.

Ready to find your balance again? Find out more at NSCM.co Give us a call at 617-615-9822, we're ready to get you your sanity back and make sure mom's not getting anything less than she deserves.