How to Find Creative Ways to Balance Your Career and Caregiving

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Senior Care in Union County NJ

Few family caregivers have the luxury of being a full-time caregiver, so it’s essential that you learn how to balance caregiving with your career. As you gain experience, the balancing act does get Senior-Care-in-Union-County-NJeasier, but you still have to have a plan.

Talk to Your Employer

Chances are very good that your employer has dealt with the demands of caregiving more than once or twice, possibly even on a personal level. So let your employer know what you’re facing and that you’re trying to make sure that both your loved one and your career get the best you have to offer. You may be surprised at the options already available to you if you simply ask.

Brainstorm Some Ideas

Once you open the conversation, it’s time to start brainstorming. Now is the time to be as creative as you can be without worrying about the feasibility of the ideas. Make a list of what you ideally would like to see, whether that’s telecommuting on a semi-permanent basis or changing your hours to fit those of your loved one. You never know what might actually be doable.

Be Realistic

After you brainstorm, it’s time to get realistic. Start out by looking at what you’ll actually be able to do, first. If changing your schedule was one of your brainstorm ideas, but you know it won’t really work for you, scratch it. Other solutions might actually work better, such as keeping your current hours but hiring senior care providers for your loved one. By giving yourself creative rein first and then being realistic, you can work some of the kinks out of your ideas.

Learn When You’ll Need to Put One Before the Other

Occasionally there will be times when your elderly loved one’s needs come before your career and vice versa. It’s important that when that happens, you don’t allow yourself to let guilt get in the way. Know that it’s temporary and that you’ll be back to balancing both as soon as you can be. If you let yourself succumb to the guilt, you won’t do either the justice that they deserve.

Keep in mind that your needs, your loved one’s needs, and even your employer’s needs all change, so you’ll need to revisit your plan to keep the balance working.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional senior care in Union County, NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

Susan Myer, RN, BSN, CCRN, CDP
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