A good balance: juggling care and a full-time job

April 26, 2021 0 Comments

That’s how quickly my life changed. My mother suffered a mild stroke and a subsequent pulmonary embolism. She was hospitalized twice and was also battling early dementia. My mother had always been very independent, to the point of joining my friends and me for an occasional happy hour (before COVID 19). However, now he really needed my help. Her memory was no longer as good, and although she was not disabled, she needed help keeping track of medications, doctor’s appointments, and light housework.

Of course, when my mom got sick, my corporate job was busier than ever. I often found myself working long hours, even at home, to keep up with things and at the same time try to keep an eye on Mom. Any life I had outside of work and my mom seemed to disappear. Exhaustion was on the horizon.

Juggling caregiving and full-time work is not uncommon. According to the researchers, in 2014 there were an estimated 23.9 million caregivers who also had outside jobs. So how can you find a balance between caregiving and a full-time job? Here are some things I learned:

Juggling caregiving and full-time work is not uncommon. According to the researchers, in 2014 there were an estimated 23.9 million caregivers who also had outside jobs. So how can you find a balance between caregiving and a full-time job? Here are some things I learned:

Get organized. That means organizing your life so that you can be effective in both your caregiving and your work. I started my mornings an hour earlier than usual. This way I was able to meditate early in the morning, eat breakfast, and improve my paperwork before emails and phone calls inundated me. I also set up a calendar for my mother, so she could easily keep track of her doctor appointments. The family invested in a 30-day pill box, with an alarm that made it easy for my mom to know which pills to take and when.

I looked for help. Although my sisters lived on the opposite coast, they went out to help take care of my mother. While a full-time nurse was not necessary, we were able to have a nurse come in twice a week to check on my mother and her medications. The home health nurse was covered by Medicare. This help from others was invaluable. I was able to regroup and spend time on things that needed my attention at home.

Take some time for yourself Even if you only have 30 minutes to spare, spend it on yourself. “Me time” can be used to relax, meditate, spend time with friends, or just take a long bath. You should also take care of your health. Get some exercise like a nice walk and eat well. If you start to feel sick, take time to seek medical attention. You cannot help a loved one if they are not healthy.

Talk to other people who might be in the same situation.. Communicate with colleagues who have also cared for a sick or elderly loved one. These people are not only a source of wisdom and encouragement, but they will also help you feel that you are not alone.

Juggling caregiving and working full time is never easy. But if you have a plan, you can do both.

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