Many caregivers are full-time employees and have social lives of their own. With proper planning, it’s possible to strike a balance between work commitments, personal life, and caregiving duties. Here are some ways to balance work life with your caregiving duties.
Ask for Help
Excessive stress can increase the risk of developing heart disease, depression, and other health issues. However, allowing trusted family members to step in and care for your loved one or pick your children up from school could relieve some of your stress. Don’t feel guilty about reaching out to others for help. Relying on others is a positive step toward better health. You can also hire a professional caregiver to help you maintain a work-life balance without compromising your loved one’s care.
Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Anchorage, AK, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
Create a Proactive Work Schedule
It’s best to plan your caregiving duties around your work hours. For example, don’t schedule a doctor’s appointment for your loved one at a time you’ll be at work. Try to get an appointment after work or during your lunch break. Since appointments are planned well in advance, you could ask your manager to leave early on those dates. Telecommuting gives you the opportunity to work from home and care for your loved one simultaneously. Many employers allow staff to take time off to care for their aging parents.
If you are the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality home care, Anchorage Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Get Plenty of High-Quality Sleep
Sleep deprivation can have a negative effect on brain health. If you’re tired during the day, you may not be able to perform at your best level. It’s easier to forget things if you’re exhausted, which could lead to costly errors at work or with your parent’s care. When you’re sleep deprived, it may be difficult for your mind to pay attention and filter out distractions. It’s important to get at least eight hours of sleep each night by developing a bedtime schedule and sticking to it. To get a good night’s sleep, consider taking a warm shower before bedtime.
Set Your Limits
Setting some physical and emotional boundaries allows caregivers to balance their daily tasks, manage expectations, and work on self-care. The best way to set your limits is to figure out what your body needs to function properly. If you require personal time during the day, put this time on the schedule and ask others to respect it. When it comes to communication, specify limits to coworkers, family members, and your loved one. Let them know what you expect from them and what you won’t tolerate on a physical, mental, and emotional level.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to delegate your caregiving duties and focus on your professional life and personal commitments. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated senior care, Anchorage, AK, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your aging parent, give us a call at (907) 770-0907 today.