When you become a caregiver to an older adult, the rest of your life doesn’t just stop.

Many caregivers still work full or part-time jobs while also juggling their caregiving duties. For people whose loved ones require less care or who have plenty of help, that may not be a problem. But, if you’re the primary caregiver to an older adult who requires more care or round-the-clock care, it can be incredibly difficult to work at the same time. If you’re among the many caregivers trying to manage work and the care of your aging relative at the same time, below are some tips that may help.

Talk to Your Employer

It can be helpful to talk to your boss about your situation. Although it may make no difference in terms of your responsibilities or time, it may make your boss more understanding if you’re a few minutes late or an emergency requires you to leave work early.

Read the Employee Handbook

Some companies have special provisions in place for caregivers that allow them to work more flexible hours or take leave. Read through your employee handbook to see if any provisions exist and how they might apply to you.

Adjust Your Hours

Ask your employer if you can adjust your hours to better meet the responsibilities of your caregiver duties. For example, if your aging relative needs more help in the mornings, ask if you can change your hours to allow you a later start time. Depending on your job and the company, you may be able to do some of your work from home. Talk to your boss about whether that might be an option.

Keep Caregiving and Work Separate

You deserve a break from being a caregiver and working gives you a chance to do that. Conversely, your employer expects employees who are focused on work. Do your best to put aside caregiving tasks while you’re at work. If you must, use your lunch break to schedule appointments or check in on the older adult. But, leave things like researching a medical condition for when you are at home.

Get Help

Having a support system of people who can help with your aging relative’s care can allow you to continue working and focus on work when you are there. Ask friends and family members if they can assist. They may be willing to sit with the older adult for a few hours, cook meals, or run errands. Another option is to hire a home care provider to look after your loved one while you are at work. Home care can do nearly anything that family caregivers can do, including cleaning, cooking, driving the older adult places, and providing companionship.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior care in Daly City, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.

Sources

https://www.aarp.org

https://www.webmd.com/

https://www.caregiver.org

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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