Tips on how to Balance Elder Care & Work in Clearwater, FL, Holiday, FL, Temple Terrace, FL & Surrounding Areas
Work-life balance can be challenging to master, especially when in charge of elder care for a loved one. Many family caregivers struggle to change jobs, take time off, or quit to accommodate their caregiving commitments. But working less isn’t always an option, and it shouldn’t be. For every caregiver who reduces their workload, another keeps working while caring for an elderly family.
1.) Let Coworkers Know Your Situation
One of the most challenging parts of eldercare is its unpredictability. You never know when you’ll get an emergency call and need to rush to your parent’s aid. So be ready to have your coworkers cover you, if possible, when the call comes. Copy a few coworkers on critical communications and give them access to projects. That means sharing file locations, deadlines, and key decision-makers.
2.) Work-Life Balance
Flexible work hours for balancing your job and parent care are vitally important. It would help if you tried to work out a schedule with your boss that suits both of your needs equally. It is critical to communicate sensitive concerns with your boss and brainstorm strategies to manage elder care and work. Flexibility is a privilege, not a right for employees, so it’s up to you to make it work for both parties.
3.) Find Support
Just as having assistance for your professional assignments is crucial, having support for your caregiving duties is also. Join a support group to cope with the challenges of caregiving and juggling your profession and your loved ones’ needs. Their experience can teach you what to ask doctors and what insurance or Medicare will cover.
4.) Lean on Your Community
It helps to have flexible work schedules and supportive coworkers. But what if caring becomes even busier? Get aid from friends, family, and the community, when needed. When a loved one cannot live alone anymore, you may find yourself moving to another state, working full time, and raising a family. It is essential to find help in your community wherever you can.
5.) Lose the Guilt
The key to managing eldercare and employment is not so much what you do but how you do it. Set boundaries for yourself and recognize that being a care partner is a significant part of your life. However, you must realize that you are entitled to a life of your own and relationships with people other than the person you love.
Contact EasyLiving
When you feel you may need a little extra help with your elder care for a loved one, contact EasyLiving in Clearwater, FL, Holiday, FL, Temple Terrace, FL, and the surrounding Florida areas.