The Guilt of Relief: Hard VS Harmful
Mon Dec 29 2025
Have you ever felt a wave of relief when a client leaves your agency? And then immediately felt the heavy weight of guilt for feeling that way?
In this episode of CARECAST, host Jeremy Watkins tackles one of the biggest taboos in the home care industry: the difference between a client who is Hard and a client who is Harmful.
Inspired by a controversial LinkedIn discussion on "firing non-ideal clients," Jeremy gets raw about his own experiences as an agency owner. He dismantles the "Martyr Myth"—the idea that to care means to suffer—and issues a challenge to leaders to protect their teams from toxicity.
In this episode, you will learn:
• The Critical Distinction: How to tell the difference between the "Weight of Care" (medical complexity, grief) and "Poison" (abuse, safety risks).
• The Leadership Pivot: Why saying "no" to a toxic client is actually saying "yes" to your caregivers' dignity.
• Actionable Steps: What to do when you identify a harmful client, including when to involve family, POAs, and Adult Protective Services.
If you are a heart-centered leader who struggles with boundaries, this episode is your permission slip to stop carrying poison.
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Have you ever felt a wave of relief when a client leaves your agency? And then immediately felt the heavy weight of guilt for feeling that way? In this episode of CARECAST, host Jeremy Watkins tackles one of the biggest taboos in the home care industry: the difference between a client who is Hard and a client who is Harmful. Inspired by a controversial LinkedIn discussion on "firing non-ideal clients," Jeremy gets raw about his own experiences as an agency owner. He dismantles the "Martyr Myth"—the idea that to care means to suffer—and issues a challenge to leaders to protect their teams from toxicity. In this episode, you will learn: • The Critical Distinction: How to tell the difference between the "Weight of Care" (medical complexity, grief) and "Poison" (abuse, safety risks). • The Leadership Pivot: Why saying "no" to a toxic client is actually saying "yes" to your caregivers' dignity. • Actionable Steps: What to do when you identify a harmful client, including when to involve family, POAs, and Adult Protective Services. If you are a heart-centered leader who struggles with boundaries, this episode is your permission slip to stop carrying poison.