Being a caregiver for an elderly family member may put a strain on your marriage. Your life and daily routines have changed dramatically. Caring for a family member takes energy. When your energy is depleted, it can take a toll on your marriage. Time you normally would have spent with your spouse may be going to caregiving. Date nights may not be an option.
During stressful times, give your spouse the benefit of the doubt. Try not to take harsh comments as seriously as you normally would. When people are under significant stress, they may lash out at others, even the people they love the most.
If you are not the primary caregiver, do tasks that will take some of the burden off your spouse. Even unloading the dishwasher can mean a great deal to your partner.
Caregiving is stressful. If you and your spouse are feeling extra tension toward each other, that will increase the stress level in your home. Try to break the cycle of hostility and blame. If you fall into a pattern of blaming your partner or focusing on what they are not doing to help, they will likely respond the same way to you. If you can notice the good things about your relationship and offer each other a soft shoulder to lean on, the stress level in your home may decrease.
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