Especially as a new caregiver, you might find that when you make a decision that doesn't pan out well, you take it personally. There are some things that you can do in order to make better decisions over your time as a caregiver for your senior loved one.
Don't Second Guess Yourself Constantly
The first thing that you need to do is to stop second guessing yourself and your decisions. You don't have a crystal ball that allows you to see into the future and you can't possibly see every single option.
Once a decision is made, you might be able to change it. Even if you can't, don't beat yourself up.
Learn as Much as You Possibly Can
If you're looking for a powerful antidote to second guessing yourself, all you need to do is to educate yourself as much as possible. The more information you can gather the stronger your decision-making process is going to be overall. Make the time to read and to talk to experts.
Collect Your Questions and Take Them to Doctor's Appointments
When it comes to experts, the first one on your list should be your senior's doctor. Take any questions you've collected about your senior's health or about what you've learned and make sure that you ask them. Getting answers to your questions helps to build up your base of knowledge.
Join a Caregiver Support Group
Support groups are another excellent place to take your questions. The best part about having a support group to talk to is that many of the members are where you are, but many others have been caregivers for a very long time. They can give you valuable insight that can give you what you need to make better decisions.
Keep Doing the Best That You Can Do
In the end, you need to give yourself a pep talk. You are doing the best that you can with the information and the resources that you have. Keep doing just that, while continuing to add to the resources and the information that you already have. When you can do that, you're going to naturally become better at making decisions for your elderly family member.
Give yourself the time and the resources that you need to be the best caregiver that you can be for your elderly family member. Remember that you don't have to be perfect; you just have to be there for your senior.