Don’t personalize: As hurtful as abusive behavior toward you can be, it’s not likely about you or your caregiving efforts. In all probability, it is a manifestation of your loved one’s condition, with all its frustrations and loss of self-sufficiency. If you can see the behavior in clinical, not personal, terms, then you may not suffer its sting to the same degree.
Revise the caregiving plan: If, despite your best efforts to eliminate the abuse, it continues to occur regularly, consider altering the caregiving plan by accepting more help in the home, making use of adult daycare programs, or even considering placing your loved one in a long-term care facility. Caregivers sacrifice many parts of their old lives while selflessly providing care. Safety and decency shouldn’t be among them.
