You like your job, but your dad needs care. To save money, you’re planning to help him with his care needs. How do you avoid quitting your job while also being your dad’s carer? Is it possible to do both?
The average age of a family caregiver is 49. This means most family caregivers are around 15 years short of retirement age. At the same time, family caregivers spend an average of 3.5 hours per day on care tasks. On top of an 8-hour workday, that’s a lot to handle. There are ways to make it work.
Can You Work From Home?
If your job allows you to, can you work from home? If you can work from home at all, you can help your dad and work while he naps or watches a movie. You may not get as much work completed as you would on a full workday, but it’s better than missing an entire day.
Talk to Your Management
Ask your management if you could work later at night or come in early to make up for the hours you miss one day. If it’s possible, it can ease a lot of the stress you feel by having to be with your dad a day or two each week. Many employers are willing to work with employees who are balancing family care and work.
Rely on Adult Day
Adult day programs were developed to ensure people who need more supervision, such as Alzheimer’s, are with professionals all day. You drop off your dad at the adult day program and pick him up at the end of the day. If the hours aren’t long enough, you can have caregivers drive him to and from an adult day program and stay with him until you’re home.
Share Duties With Other Family Members
Work out a schedule with other family members so that everyone is chipping in. On your days with your dad, you could do some work and provide his care at the same time. If you don’t have a job that enables you to work from anywhere, you could make up that missed day on the weekend or by going in an hour or two early each day you are at work.
Add Professional Elderly Care While You Work
When you’re working, professional caregivers can come to your dad’s house and assist him with ADLs and IADLs. Caregivers can do the housework, remind him to take medications, escort him to appointments, and prepare meals. That’s just a small sample of the elderly care services available to him. Call an elderly care specialist to discuss prices.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable Home Care Services Buford, GA, and surrounding areas. Call (770) 965.4004 for more information.
Sources:
Caregiver.org
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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