Home Care Helps Support Working Caregivers

In the July 2009 issue of Choices, we took a look at the issues faced by family caregivers who are juggling their caregiving duties with employment tasks. If you are one of the 25% of Canadian family caregivers who are also holding down a full-time job, what can you do to help balance your work and caregiving responsibilities?

The first step is to make a plan and do your homework. Are you taking advantage of available resources? Are you trying to do it all alone, rather than asking for help? Here are some questions to ask as you assess your situation:

Q: Am I trying to do too much?

With today's smaller families and our mobile society, sometimes only one family member is available to serve as the family caregiver. But other times, it happens that one family member gradually evolves into the main caregiving role as their loved one's condition changes, without anything really being discussed. Is it time to revisit the arrangement in a family meeting? Discuss with siblings the financial and personal costs of your caregiving duties. Can your brother provide respite some evenings? Can Mom visit your out-of-state sister for several weeks? Learn to delegate.

Even if you are the only family caregiver for your loved one, can you expand your support team with friends, neighbors, members of your or your loved one's faith community? What about volunteers? Set priorities in other areas of your life, as well—can you temporarily give up some of your other commitments, especially those that you don’t really enjoy?

Q: Have I investigated resources available through my company?

More and more companies realize that assisting caregivers is part of a good employee retention strategy. Although some family caregivers are hesitant to discuss their situation, not wanting to bring personal problems to work, remember that your company is as eager as you are to lessen the impact of caregiving on your productivity. Talk to your supervisor or Human Resources department about your current situation. Ask if your company has an employee assistance resource and referral program that offers family caregiver information and support. Find out the company's policy on family leave, flextime, telecommuting and job sharing. This is a positive step to help your company recognize your needs—and that of other employed caregivers.

Q: What support services are available in my community?

As a caregiver, you are not alone! Take the time to investigate support services available for caregivers:

• Adult day centers provide daytime care and social activities for older adults. Programs vary as to the amount and type of care available; services might include meals, transportation, healthcare services and rehabilitation.
  
  
• Geriatric care managers (GCM) are eldercare professionals who can assess your loved one's needs, and develop and implement a personalized plan of care, taking into account the needs of your older family member and your own work issues as well. GCMs can provide ongoing follow-up monitoring if desired.
  
  
• Respite care programs provide temporary relief for caregivers. This may be a professional caregiver who comes into the home, or your loved one may go to a short-term program at a hospital, assisted living community or skilled nursing facility.
  
  
• Support groups provide emotional support, information sharing and companionship for caregivers, who often feel isolated. It helps so much to share experiences with someone in the same boat as you!

Q: How can home care support my role as a caregiver…and as a conscientious employee?

In-home personal care services may be the perfect solution to allow working caregivers to focus on their job responsibilities, knowing their loved one is safe and well cared for in their absence. You can arrange for a qualified home caregiver to come every day of the week, or occasionally as needed. Your trained caregiver can:

• Help with house cleaning services, home laundry services and other household chores 
• Assist with personal care, such as bathing and toileting
• Provide meal preparation services, including special diets 
• Transport the client to the market, doctor's appointments, or just "out and about"  
• Help with medication reminders 
• Provide companionship and a sense of security 
• Ensure peace of mind for family caregivers 
• Enable the senior to feel a sense of greater dignity.

When the home caregiver takes over those types of tasks during the work day, this frees family members to spend enhanced time with their loved one—playing a game, going for a walk, attending grandchildren's school concerts, or just sitting on the porch together with a pitcher of iced tea…the kinds of normal interactions that promote quality of life. And working caregivers quickly realize that arranging for elderly care services at home can be a great investment towards keeping their career on track.

Q: Am I taking care of myself?

Working family caregivers are highly susceptible to "caregiver burnout." They may feel confused, fatigued, constantly worried, angry…and then, often, guilty about having those feelings! If you are a family caregiver, remember that taking care of yourself is an important part of caring for your loved one. As you investigate resources to help in your loved one's care, don't forget to carve out some time just for yourself…time to nurture your spirit and "recharge your batteries." This will not only make you a better family caregiver, but a better employee, as well.

The numbers are in: more and more workers will be faced with family caregiving issues as Baby Boomers age. If you're already dealing with these competing demands, remember that finding balance between your personal life and work life is a key task—and getting help is part of achieving that balance.