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What Do You Do When You Have a Full-time Job and You’re a Caregiver?

Senior Care in Elk Grove CA: Balancing Caregiving and a Career
Senior Care in Elk Grove CA: Balancing Caregiving and a Career

When your senior needs you just as much as your career needs you that might feel as if you’re fighting a losing battle. But there are some ways that you can make sure all of your obligations are met without sacrificing both sides of the equation.

Senior Care in Elk Grove CA: Balancing Caregiving and a Career
Senior Care in Elk Grove CA: Balancing Caregiving and a Career

Caregiving Can Truly Become a Second Full-time Job.

Depending on what help your elderly family member needs, caregiving can really become a full-time job very quickly. This can surprise some caregivers, especially when those changes show up seemingly out of nowhere. You’re not abnormal or being an ineffective caregiver if this fact is a little overwhelming for you right now. It takes some getting used to.

Prioritize What You Can.

Stop for a minute and take a look at what your big priorities are. There are certain things that have to get done each and every day or there are big problems. At work, you probably already know what those priorities are. For caregiving, those tasks might be making sure your senior eats healthy foods each day and that her other big needs are met.

Seek out Flexible Answers.

You may have more flexibility than you think. For instance, you might be able to set your senior up with meals that are easy for her to prepare and she can handle the rest for a few hours. Then, when you get home, you can tackle other priorities for her. At work, you might be able to work from home for a few hours a week so that you’re with your senior more often. It’s worth exploring what opportunities are available from your employer.

Hire Senior Care Providers to Help.

Another way to spread yourself out a bit more is to hire senior care providers while you’re away. They can step in on the caregiving end of things for you and handle those priority tasks. This is especially helpful when your aging adult needs more constant help, especially with mobility and personal care tasks. They can alert you if anything urgent occurs when you’re away, so that you can focus on one thing at a time.

As you spend more time finding the right balance between your caregiving responsibilities and other obligations, you’re going to find better ways to maximize your time and your energy. Remember that taking time away from both work and caregiving helps you to come back to both with a fresher perspective.

If you or an aging loved one needs senior care in Elk Grove, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.

 

Jay Bloodsworth

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