08/08/2025
The Silent Struggles of a Caregiver in Eldercare
By someone who has walked the path
For the past five years, I have been deeply involved in senior living—not just as a founder, but as a caregiver, a listener, a companion, and often a surrogate family member. In a world where ageing parents are often seen as responsibilities to be outsourced, senior living centers like ours become the emotional and physical safety nets. We step in, not just to manage care, but to offer warmth, presence, and dignity.
Beyond ensuring their daily needs—nutrition, medical care, and routine services—I’ve stood beside them during life’s most vulnerable moments. I’ve spent sleepless nights at hospital bedsides, celebrated their birthdays when no one else remembered, and quietly stepped in to fill the aching void of loneliness. I’ve laughed with them, grieved with them, and become a part of their lives in ways that go far beyond any job description.
And yet, over time, a painful reality surfaces: for many residents and their families, this relationship is ultimately seen as a transaction. A paid service. A line item in a monthly budget. You do your best, go the extra mile, pour your heart in—but you're rarely part of the memory. You're respected, yes—but only as long as the service is delivered. You’re appreciated, but often unseen.
Emotionally, this takes a toll. Financially, caregivers often stretch themselves—investing time, energy, and even personal resources—driven by compassion more than compensation. Burnout is real. Loneliness creeps in even when you're surrounded by people. The empathy that powers us can also drain us.
So how does a caregiver preserve their own well-being?
• Set boundaries. Compassion should not mean self-neglect.
• Take time off. Regular breaks are not indulgences—they're essential.
• Talk it out. Seek peer support, therapy, or even journaling to process emotions.
• Remember your 'why'. Let purpose be your anchor, not obligation.
• Invest in yourself—spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Caregiving is noble, but caregivers are not superhuman. In a profession built on giving, we must not forget to receive care too. Only a nourished heart can continue to nurture others.
Let’s care for the caregivers.
Deepak Bhandari Preet Aikya
