When I first started helping care for my older cousin, I honestly thought good intentions would be enough. Turns out, I made a bunch of small mistakes without realizing it, like doing things for her instead of with her, or assuming what she needed without asking. None of it was malicious, but it caused frustration on both sides. I’m trying to learn from it now, so I’m curious—what are the most common caregiving mistakes people make, and how do you avoid falling into those habits early on?
I’ve definitely been there with my dad. One big mistake I made was trying to handle everything myself, which led to burnout pretty fast. Another was focusing only on physical needs and forgetting how important routine and emotional support are. What helped me was stepping back and learning better ways to support seniors day to day, especially around communication and shared decision-making. Once I involved him more and accepted help from others, things became more balanced and less stressful for both of us.
Caregiving seems simple until you’re actually in it, then the layers start showing. I’ve noticed that mistakes usually come from rushing or trying to be perfect. People adjust better when there’s room to learn and recalibrate along the way. Over time, patience and flexibility tend to matter more than getting everything right from the start.
