How to Strike a Balance Between Work and Caregiving

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How to Balance Work with Your Caregiving Duties in Toronto, ON

Becoming a family caregiver doesn’t mean you have to give up your current job. It is important to maintain as much of your normal routine as possible because it can help you prevent depression, isolation, resentment, and caregiver burnout. Here are some of the ways you can balance work with your caregiving duties. 

Be Proactive 

Being proactive can prevent panic attacks, high blood pressure, and stress related to your job and your caregiving duties. Develop a schedule and make sure to stick to it. The schedule should be tailored to your availability. For example, if you are responsible for taking your loved one to doctor appointments, schedule those appointments after work, during your lunch hour, or on your days off. Always create a contingency plan for those days when you need to be out of the office. 

Aging adults who need help around the house, transportation to medical appointments and social events, and assistance with exercise can benefit from having an in-home caregiver. Toronto seniors can enjoy greater independence and receive regular mental and social stimulation when relying on a trusted professional who is expertly trained in various aspects of senior care.

Understand Your Limits 

Setting emotional and physical boundaries can enhance your mood and simplify the caregiving process. Never take on more duties than you can handle. If your coworkers ask you to stay over to help with their work but you need to get home to tend to your caregiving tasks, it is okay to say no. Knowing your limits may make it easier to balance your work and caregiving tasks, giving you more time to focus on self-care and prevent burnout. 

Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Toronto families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.  

Consider Telecommuting 

Telecommuting allows you to work from home or any other location other than your office building. Ask your employer if telecommuting is an option, regardless if it is in your employee handbook or not. After explaining your situation, your supervisor may make an exception. In other cases, your employer may allow you to telecommute a few days each week or for months at a time.

Ask for Help

Do not take on all the caregiving responsibilities alone. Always ask other family members and close friends for help. Make sure to delegate as many of your caregiving duties as possible so you can free up time for your job and personal obligations. If you need more assistance, hire an in-home caregiver to lighten the load for your family. When you ask for help or hire a caregiver, you can spend more time working and less time worrying about your loved one’s safety.

Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to delegate your caregiving tasks to another person so you can focus on your health, wellbeing, and other important commitments. Caledon, ON, senior care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. To hire a dedicated caregiver for your senior loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (416) 488-8777 today.

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