Balancing Caregiving and Work: Can It Be Done?

If only there were 25 hours in a day and 8 days in a week! But even if it were so, most of us would not have enough time to get everything done. Having to juggle your professional responsibilities, home life and household chores leaves little room for alone time, a social life or recreation and spending time outdoors. And if you have aging parents who could use help, that’s yet another thing on your daily to-do list. 

Depending on how independent they are, you might have to spend a considerable amount of time taking care of your elderly loved ones, especially if they refuse to accept the assistance of Pacific Palisades’ professional senior home care providers. Seniors can also be extremely sensitive about certain topics such as loss of independence, which may be yet another reason why they might refuse to have you hire a professional caregiver.

But what do you do when this starts to take a toll and interfere with your career and professional life? How do you find a balance?

How do you balance work and caregiving?

In theory, acting as your elderly loved one’s caregiver and working full time is possible. If your job tolerates you missing work because of caregiving, consider yourself lucky. Most employers will take issue with their employees missing work because they need to take care of their parents, which is one reason why most family caregivers are forced to either work part time or quit their job altogether in order to be there for their elderly loved ones.

In reality, it goes without saying that it can get extremely demanding to have to balance work and caregiving. After a while you’ll feel that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew and that you’re doing neither thing right, yet you feel completely drained. You can try some of the following strategies to help you carry it through:

• Get organized and create a calendar to help you keep track of activities, doctor appointments, etc.,
• Keep work separate from your caregiving responsibilities, otherwise you won’t be able to concentrate on neither,
• Schedule a formal meeting with your boss, manager and HR to discuss your caregiving situation,
• Make arrangements with your co-workers for when you have to leave work early or on short notice in case of emergency,
• Inquire about flexible work schedule,
• Create and present your boss and other team members with a modified work plan which ensures your productivity.

What are the duties of a caregiver?

Taking care of the elderly requires strong negotiation skills, patience and time. Unless you can get other family members involved in the caregiving process, your best bet would be to hire professional caregivers who have experience in providing hands-on care. 

This can give both you and your elderly loved one a much-needed balance. Although you still might need to help your elderly loved one manage their finances or pay their bills, a professional caregiver will handle most other duties involved in senior care:

• Assistance with basic needs, such as bathing, grooming and going to the toilet,
• Companionship,
• Help with housekeeping and maintaining the household,
• Monitor medication and providing assistance and reminders accordingly,
• Meal preparation,
• Transfer when at home and transport when leaving the house.

Compromise without compromising your loved one’s wellbeing

It’s been over two decades since we first started out. We have evolved over time, but one thing has remained the same: our dedication to our clients and their wellbeing. Located in Pacific Palisades, home to Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, A Better Way in Home Care has given families a better alternative to family caregiving, one that leaves them with both enough personal space and room for quality time and togetherness. All the caregivers we refer are at your service for Pacific Palisades senior home care of the highest standard. Call now to schedule your initial consultation!