As a caregiver, you can easily cross the boundary to caretaking, which leads to an unhappy and unhealthy relationship. The significant difference between a caregiver and caretaker is the establishment of well-defined boundaries. When they are missing, caretaking can lead to co-dependency, which is dysfunctional behavior.
It is easy for the caretaker’s objectives to take precedence in a subtle way leading to unmet expectations, which can ruin an otherwise healthy relationship. In this case, caretaking may harm the carer and the other person instead of achieving the intended purpose.
A caretaker doesn’t take up their role out of empathy. Instead, they are driven by need and deprivation, creating an enabling environment. The person is not responsible for their actions; they don’t take responsibility for their behavior and needs leaving them dependent on the caretaker. They are unable to live with selfconfidence.
Unlike a caregiver who expects nothing while caring for another person, caretaking gives expectations or strings attached. Additionally, a caretaker feels superior and needed, leading to a certain level of control over the person being cared for, developing an imbalanced relationship. With time, such an environment breeds anger, and resentment, when the caretaker’s advice or recommendations are not followed.