5 Suggestions for Family Caregivers with Full-Time Jobs

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Suggestions for Full-Time Working Family Caregivers in Victoria, BC

Providing companionship and assistance to their senior loved ones can be challenging for family caregivers who also have full-time jobs. Caregivers who work full-time jobs and look after an elderly family member can end up feeling overwhelmed when trying to handle both responsibilities. Knowing how to balance caregiving with full-time work can ease this stress. 

1. Stay Organized 

Hang a large calendar on a wall at home with appointments and other important dates marked on it to stay organized. Ensuring you’re organized at home can make it easier to stay focused on work while you’re at your job. Likewise, staying organized at work allows you to focus better on caregiving duties when you’re at home, and it can prevent or alleviate stress from working full-time and caring for a senior loved one.

If you need a break from your caregiving duties to organize your work and caregiving responsibilities, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Victoria respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.

2. Check Company Policies

Talk to your company’s Human Resources Manager or consult your employee handbook for information that can make caregiving easier while holding down a full-time job. For example, you might have the option to work from home a couple of days a week, or you might be able to ask for schedule changes that work better with caregiving. Keep in mind you should also have a plan in place in case you need to leave unexpectedly, such as arranging for a coworker to handle your work while you’re away. 

3. Keep Work and Caregiving Separate

Make it a personal policy to only focus on work-related issues while you’re on the job instead of trying to manage caregiving tasks such as calling to schedule appointments. Take care of your caregiving duties and tasks after you leave work for the day or during a break or lunch hour. Keeping these duties separate can prevent either work or caregiving from becoming too stressful.

4. Arrange for a Leave of Absence

If caregiving duties are affecting your job performance, consider taking a leave of absence. During this absence, you can focus on caregiving duties and giving yourself time to recharge before going back to work. A leave of absence might also be a suitable option if your loved one needs more care than usual due to recovering from a serious illness or injury.

Performing daily tasks while simultaneously managing the symptoms of a serious illness can be challenging for seniors. The Victoria live-in care experts at Home Care Assistance are available 24/7 to make sure your loved one has the care he or she needs to remain safe and comfortable while aging in place.

5. Consider Hiring a Caregiver

A professional caregiver can help you with your caregiving duties. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or burned out by caregiving and work responsibilities, knowing your loved one has someone else around to assist him or her may ease your caregiving burden. Hiring an in-home caregiver allows you to take breaks from caring for your loved one to unwind and relieve stress.

Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Victoria, BC, home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. To create a customized home care plan for your aging loved one, call us at (250) 592-4881 today.

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