What are some caregiving myths?
Examine these common myths and determine the ones you have incorporated into your beliefs: • If I set limits, Im being selfish and aggressive. • If I set limits, other people will be angry with me. • Im in good health, so I dont need any time off from caregiving. • I have to do it all because nobody else volunteers or knows what needs to be done. • Even if someone else knows what to do, they cant do as good a job as I can. Only when we confront the distortions behind these notions can we begin to set the limits we need and deserve.Breaking the myths • Setting limits is a gift to yourself and others. You can give nothing of yourself when you have nothing left to give. Exhausting yourself through non-stop caregiving helps neither you nor your care recipient. • Setting limits does not mean a lack of love or caring. On the contrary, whatever you do to conserve your energy and preserve your strength will enhance rather than detract from your caregiving skills. In that sense, setting limits
