Many family caregivers also hold down full-time jobs, and it’s normal for them to face difficulty handling all of the responsibilities. Whether you’re worried about leaving your aging parent home alone while you’re at work or you just feel overwhelmed, there are multiple ways to ease the stress. Use these tips to make things easier as you manage a full-time job while simultaneously managing caregiving duties.
1. Communicate with Your Employer
Communication is essential for caregivers, and it’s possible your employer will be more understanding if he or she knows what you’re doing during your time off. For instance, your employer may need to know if you anticipate needing time off to attend your loved one’s medical appointments. Giving prior notice can help your boss plan to keep the company operations going smoothly, and he or she may be able to suggest benefit packages that allow you to manage your time more effectively.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your work schedule leaves little to no time for you to focus on your caregiving duties. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elderly home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
2. Know Your Leave Options
Many employers offer leave packages to help employees manage stressful life situations. Check your employee handbook or contact human resources to find out if you have perks such as vacation or sick time available that can be used when you need to take care of your loved one. Depending on your situation, you may also be covered by state or federal laws that protect your ability to take unpaid time off work without repercussions.
3. Establish a Routine
Establishing a daily routine is one of the best ways to keep up with everything that must be done in a day, even when you feel tired. From picking out your clothes the night before to giving your loved one medication right after dinner, try to do things at the same time. Maintaining a routine not only helps you remember what must be done, but it can also help your loved one do many things independently.
4. Keep a Calendar
Between meetings and deadlines at work and your loved one’s medical appointments, it’s easy to forget essential things on your to-do list. The situation gets even more complicated if you work rotating shifts that require you to adjust your times each week. Use an electronic calendar to keep track of your schedule, and set alarms to remind you about upcoming appointments. Then share the calendar with other caregivers by putting it all down on paper or using a sharing app.
If you don’t have enough time to prepare a daily routine or provide high-quality home care for your loved one, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide home care, Richmond, Virginia, Assisting Hands Home Care has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering hourly and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
5. Delegate Tasks as Needed
Sometimes you must make concessions when you manage multiple roles, and there’s nothing wrong with admitting you shouldn’t try to do it all. Find a trusted resource such as a professional caregiver who can take over when you are handling other responsibilities. Knowing someone is sitting with your loved one while you’re at work can allow you to focus solely on the work at hand. Alternatively, you may look forward to your evening with your loved one after a caregiver has managed tasks you find stressful, such as housekeeping or personal hygiene. Allowing someone else to step in as needed can make your role as a working caregiver much more enjoyable.
Caring for senior loved ones can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Richmond families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation. If you need professional care for your loved one, Assisting Hands Home Care is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Specialists today.
