Unrealistic Expectations: Caregivers

Aired on Lifetime Television
April 27 and June 8, 2008
Show 510 

Nellita has a busy enough time caring for her mother, who has Alzheimer's. But when social workers and therapists provided her a list of responsibilities and recommendations, her eyes glazed over. Particularly distressing to Nellita was an assertion that she should smile, all the time, while performing the increasingly depressing and difficult tasks caregiving for her deteriorating mother requires. As Nellita says, "you just have to do what you do, and when you do it, you don't always smile."  Leeza and Dr. Jamie discuss Nellita's acceptance of the situation and how expectations from others, especially those who want her to put on a happy face, can be unrealistic. Don't take it personally – just do the best you can.  As Leeza notes, her mother would always say, "that's good enough for God and everybody, honey, just do the best you can."