Caregiver? Tips for Managing Parenting, Home, and Work While Also Caring for an Elderly Parent
According to recent statistics provided by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for families and children, 63 percent, nearly two-thirds, of households that include a married couple with children are dual-income households. When one of these working parents must also take on the caregiver duties for their own elderly parent, they often struggle to fill all their expected roles.
If you are a working spouse and parent who has recently decided to take on the additional role of parental caregiver and are wondering how you can manage your duties, these tips can offer you some solutions and hope for the best possible experience.
Avoid becoming a solo act
Family dynamics often place the burden of caring for an elderly parent squarely on just one set of shoulders, even when there is more than one sibling in the family. When the subject of stepping in as caregiver for an elderly parent first arises, convene a family meeting right away and begin the process of brainstorming ideas on how each sibling can best contribute.
Some examples to consider include asking siblings who live out of the area to contribute funding for respite elderly care services that would benefit their parents and take some stress off the caregiver. Others might include paying for lawn care, cleaning services, or needed home renovations at the elderly parent's home.
Set realistic expectations for the future
It can be difficult to remain realistic when arranging care for an elderly parent. In many cases, elderly parents are fearful about their future and want their caregiving children to make unrealistic promises, such as promising to always help them remain in their own home.
While it is difficult at the time, it is important that adult children remain realistic under this type of pressure. Instead of promising something that an injury or health issue could make it impossible to keep, adult children should use wording to convey that they will help care for their parent as long as they can.
During these discussions, it can be helpful to also mention options that can help elderly parents retain their independence longer, such as using live-in or overnight elderly personal care service options.
Be willing to get professional help
Your willingness to become a caregiver for your elderly parent is commendable and can be the beginning of a memorable period in your life. But taking time away from those caregiver duties to focus on your own home, family, work, and personal well-being is also important.
To get the professional help you need to ensure that your elderly parent will continue to be safe and well cared for in your absence, contact an elderly home care service in your immediate area.
