Most caregivers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and virtually anywhere cannot devote themselves entirely to the task of caregiving; many have other responsibilities and must balance their roles as caregivers with their roles as employees, moms and dads, and brothers and sisters. The task of balancing career aspirations and obligations with caregiving responsibilities is often particularly challenging. Committed caregivers tend to be conscientious individuals who are determined not to let anyone down, and often feel caught between their need to perform well at work and their desire to care for their parents. While walking this particular tightrope may never be easy, there are things you can do to strike a good balance.
- Don’t be afraid to delegate. Caregivers frequently feel the need to take care of everything themselves, and are reluctant to ask for help. However, it’s important to remember that you don’t have superpowers; we all need help from time to time. Talk to family members, friends, and members of community services to find out what aid is available, and consider hiring respite help on a regular basis.
- Find out about flextime policies at your place of employment. As the number of individuals taking care of elderly family members increases, more and more employers are becoming aware of the need to accommodate caregivers, and are offering flextime options. Talk to your boss about setting your own schedule. Be sure to point out the advantages, not just for you, but for your employer. He or she will be getting an employee who is more rested and focused, and will therefore be able to work more effectively.
- Consider telecommuting. As technology improves, the number of jobs that can be done remotely is increasing. If you are caring for an elderly person who cannot be left alone for long periods of time, but does not need constant attention, telecommuting may allow you to care for your loved one while still remaining productive at work.
- Make time for yourself. Many caregivers become overwhelmed by responsibility, and fail to eat and sleep properly, which can in turn cause them to feel even more overwhelmed. Remember that in order to be an effective caregiver, you need to take care of yourself as well. Regularly set aside a little time for yourself, even if only to take a short walk or a bubble bath.
- Stay organized. Strong organizational skills are a must for any caregiver. Keep to-do lists and coordinate with doctors and family members to keep your schedule on track.
- Investigate adult day services options in your area. If you spend the day fretting about your elderly parent or loved one who is at home alone, it may be wise to check out local adult day services, which are frequently less expensive than the services of home health care workers. Additionally, they provide your elderly family member with the opportunity to fraternize with peers. Many adult day services also provide lunches, as well as some medical supervision.
- Take advantage of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Under the act, you may be entitled to up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave in order to care for your family member. Even if you plan to care for your parent or other loved one for a longer period of time, taking a short leave of absence may help you to get organized so that you can properly care for both your career and family responsibilities. To find out what you qualify for, talk to your company’s department of human resources, and become familiar with the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Explain the situation to your supervisor. While employers understandably expect their employees to arrive on time, work full days, and focus on the job, your supervisor may be somewhat more understanding of the occasional late arrival or your need to leave suddenly in case of emergency if he or she is aware of the situation.
Caregiving may never be easy, but good organizational skills, frequent communication with others, and the ability to ask for help can go a long way in keeping caregiver stress at bay.
Sourced from: Home Instead Content Library
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