When my late grandmother’s dementia progressed, my aunts, my cousins, and I stepped in. We divided the coverage, synced our schedules, and did our best to wrap her in a blanket of family care.
Even with a “village,” the weight was heavy.
I saw the silent toll it took on my aunts. I felt the creeping exhaustion in my cousins. Even when you divide the hours, you cannot easily divide the emotional tax of watching someone you love slip away. We often think that because we have “help” from family, we shouldn’t need professional support. But therapy isn’t just for when you’re at a breaking point—it’s the structural support that keeps the “village” from collapsing.
If you are the daughter, the granddaughter, or the cousin holding down a shift today:
Who is supporting you?
If the answer is “no one consistently,” that isn’t a failure of your family—it’s a signal that you need a professional toolset. Responding to that signal is the most responsible thing you can do for yourself and for the person you are honoring with your care.
You don’t have to carry the rotation alone. Find a provider who understands the unique weight you’re carrying at Ellie Mental Health.
