You work 40 hours each week, plus you have overtime now and then. Your parents need your help, too. They struggle with meal preparation and cannot drive themselves to and from the stores or medical offices. How do you balance both without giving up your personal time?
Talk to Your Boss
You may be able to reduce your hours or avoid overtime work by talking to your employer. You’re not the first person to need to help an aging parent. Adjusting your hours slightly so that you can come to the office an hour late may help out, as you have that extra time to get breakfast for your mom and dad before you leave.
If it helps to come in an hour early and leave an hour before your shift ends, ask your boss if that’s possible. Many employers understand and are happy to adjust your hours when possible.
It may not be possible. Don’t get upset. Move to the next option.
See if Other Family Members Can Help Out
Hold a family meeting. Ask your siblings if they have some spare time to help your parents with their daily activities. If your sister can take them shopping each week, that’s one less thing for you to do. You might have a cousin who is willing to stop by and help with laundry. Don’t feel obligated to be the only person helping your parents.
As you have a better idea of who can and cannot help out, develop a weekly schedule that everyone follows. That eliminates any question of who is supposed to be helping your parents.
Create daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists. Ideally, set them up online where you can invite others to view and add items that need to be completed. If your sister takes your parents to their eye doctor and knows they need to return on a specific date for a glasses fitting, she can note that on the calendar.
Arrange Companion Care at Home Services When You’re at Work
If those options aren’t possible, it’s time to look at professional caregiver services. Instead of trying to do things on your own, hire caregivers to help out.
Ask your parents what they think of companion care at home. They may embrace the idea of having caregivers to help them each day. It reduces the amount of time you have to be at your parents’ house, which allows you to focus on self-care when you’re not working.
Companion care at home is one of the best ways to ensure your parents remain independent without risking their health or safety. Call a specialist in companion care at home to schedule the services that your parents need.
If you or an aging loved one needs Companion Care at Home near Fair Oaks, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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