Tips for Managing Work and Caregiving

Being a caretaker for a relative or friend is a privately enriching experience, but managing the care of another person is also challenging—particularly if you have a job outside your home. Our experts on home health care in Philadelphia, PA, offer these recommendations for better managing the numerous roles of commitment as caregiver and employee.

Speak with Your Employer

Many businesses now have service programs to help employees with caregiving responsibilities. For example, some companies help find at-home care, offer financial aid, and provide other caregiver support. Be upfront with your supervisor about your troubles in prioritizing work and the demands of your loved one. Be transparent that you are committed to your position, yet you would appreciate some flexibility in your professional life. Research your company's policies about caregiving leave and flextime. For companies with at least 50 employees, the Family and Medical Leave Act specifies up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off to care for an incredibly ill spouse, child, or parent.

Present Potential Options

Employers value workers who come up with suitable solutions to challenges. To add more balance to your position and caregiving, consider proposing to your manager or human resources representative some alternate possibilities, like telecommuting, earlier or later start times, a condensed plan, or job sharing. If you've utilized all your paid time off and sick leave, your business may permit other employees to contribute their sick time on your behalf.

Pursue Support

Turn to your web of family and friends to help with your work-life troubles. Could they help your loved one even a few hours weekly? Employing an adult home care provider like our home health care professionals can significantly streamline your daily schedule. Also, look into local community assistance, including adult day centers, nutritional aids, counseling, etc.

Remain Focused

Avoid employing work time for caregiving-related calls and internet investigation. Instead, save these intimate errands for lunchtime and breaks. Then, when you're at work, be there fully.

Stay Organized

Delegate as much as possible at home. If you depend on professional in-home care for your loved one, be sure the home caretaker is helping with additional projects around the house, including light housework and preparing meals. Set up calendars and stress to-do lists to help successfully maintain your schedule.

Respect Your Self-Care

You and your health matter, too. If you burn out handling caregiving and your job, everyone loses out. So, be unfailingly intentional about guarding time for your exercise, medical care, and fun. Or, time to do nothing for a bit. Scheduling regular respite care is vital to ease the strain of work-caregiving demands.

Change Your Expectations

You may want to accomplish it all by being there completely for your sick loved one and your career. But you can only work in overdrive for so long. So instead, it may be time to reduce your must-do-today execution goals. Delaying the nonessentials in your life can reduce stress during this period and strengthen your connections at home and work.

Follow these tips for balancing caregiving and work duties. Then, contact us if you need support from professionals in home health care in Philadelphia, PA. We are here for you.