Sometimes, it just feels like an impossible task trying to juggle your career and your personal life. This only becomes more challenging as you get more responsibilities, such as becoming a parent, pet owner, friend, and other relationships. But one thing that a lot of people seem to neglect is their parents. There’s going to come a time when they’re going to need assistance too.
Obviously, as their child, you want them to live as long as possible. You’re going to have to ensure that they get the best care that they can get. So, when it comes to all of this, how can you be sure? Well, sometimes, you’re going to have to step in and help. This doesn’t mean you need to go into full caregiver mode, but you can expect to make some sacrifices here and there. But how can you juggle this all out while still focusing on a job? Well, keep reading on to find out!
Start By Prioritizing Your Time
So, what do you have time to do, and what will you have no leeway on? Chances are, you’re going to be incredibly limited, especially if you have a non-flexible 9 to 5 job. Caring for an elderly parent can take a significant toll on your time. It’s essential to have a plan in place so that you can balance the demands of caregiving with your career. Start by writing down the tasks and errands that need to be done on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
This will give you a clearer understanding of what needs to be done and how much time you should devote to each task. Next, decide who can help with your parents’ care and errands. This may include family members, friends, or neighbors who can check in on your parents during bad weather or take them to doctor’s appointments. You might also want to consider a caregiver platform like care.com. Generally speaking, you need to have a strong idea of what can and can’t be done each day, especially on days when you’re expected to work.
Understand That It’s Okay to Get Support
Getting to know your parents better and understanding their needs can help you feel more confident when it comes to providing them with the care they deserve. It can also be helpful to approach your role as a caregiver in a more business-like way, by keeping a dedicated calendar of your work and family commitments or by finding out about local services or senior care options. But in the end, you’re going to need some support. This is entirely fine because how can you be expected to do everything? That's why it’s vital to reach out, whether it’s to friends, family members, or even hiring a service that can help.
Talk to Your Manager
In the end, you still have a job to do, so why not talk to a manager or even HR about this? Sometimes, organizations will give more leeway to their employees if they know the situation. This can include giving you less work until you figure this out or even allowing you to work part-time until you have the situation better under control. But in the end, you have to discuss it; you can’t keep this in the dark.
Get Them Company
It’s important that your elderly parents do have company to improve their mental health. This could mean helping them to attend different social groups. Or, you could even think about getting them a pet. Don’t forget, there are lots of different costs related to pets including but not limited to dog food. You might need to help your parents cover the cost of thai but it will be well worth it to ensure they have company each and every day.