Family caregivers often find it necessary to make major changes in their lives when their senior loved ones need care. At some point, many people wonder if they can continue working when their parents need so many hours of assistance. Quitting your job may be an option, but it’s worth taking the following things into consideration before you make a final decision.
Think about How Quitting Work Affects Your Finances
The most obvious concern about quitting your job is what it might do to your finances. If you’re single, you may need to explore whether your community offers financial assistance for family caregivers who cannot work full-time. If you live with a partner, there’s also the concern about whether his or her income will be enough to sustain your shared lifestyle. Although you may be able to scale back, there’s a risk of becoming resentful or developing anxiety if you cannot afford the things you need. As you ponder this concern, remember you may also need to be saving for your own retirement.
Consider the Long-Term Consequences for Your Career
Many family caregivers are in the early to middle stages of their careers. Stopping working right now may hold you back in unexpected ways. For instance, you might need to be a family caregiver for many years, which could cause you to miss opportunities for important promotions. Even being out of work for a few months could cause you to lose valuable contacts that could help you move forward once you go back to work.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality senior care, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Ask Yourself How Not Working Impacts Your Self-Esteem
People’s identities are often closely tied to what they do for a living. You may enjoy how your accomplishments as a worker make you feel each day. You might also need to have a defined schedule that gives you personal space outside the home. While it may seem like quitting work would be more relaxing, you could find it becomes stressful when all you do each day is take care of your parent.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Edmonton elder care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.
Explore Options for Balancing Work & Caregiving
There isn’t an easy answer to whether you should stop working to care for your parent, but thinking about these considerations can help you make some decisions. If you feel like your finances, self-worth, or professional relationships cannot withstand you quitting, you can rest assured there are ways to balance work and caregiving. Senior home care provides services that can be customized to fit your family’s needs. You can arrange for someone to visit your loved one for a set number of hours each week so you can continue to work either full- or part-time. Having flexible care in place helps you do what’s necessary to make sure everyone is happy and financially secure.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Edmonton, AB, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. To hire a dedicated caregiver, call Home Care Assistance at (780) 490-7337 today.