One minute you are a child, and the next, you are a grown adult with many responsibilities weighing on your shoulders! One of the challenging tasks you might face as an adult is learning to care for ageing parents while trying to have a successful career and build your own family. With a staggering 79% of adults feeling stressed at least once a month, how are you possibly going to find the perfect balance? Striking a balance might seem like a distant dream to you and many others. However, these tips will help you find a routine that works for you and your family.
Set your priorities and develop a plan
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when juggling your work with caring for your family and elderly parents. However, before you begin to panic, it’s always better to create an action plan. There are many things you must consider. Do your parents have regular doctor’s appointments? What errands do you need to run for your home and theirs? You can write down all these tasks and try to visualise everything to help you organise better.
Once you’ve created a schedule, it will be easier to know what you have to prepare for. Thanks to modern technology, you can even set reminders to all parties involved to keep them abreast with plans and schedules. If you have other siblings or relatives to help, you can all sync your calendars to know who is responsible for what task and when.
Speak to your employer
It can be hard finding the perfect balance between being a dedicated worker and a dedicated child. Given how busy work environments can get, it does affect how often you get to connect with your elderly parents. If you’re in such a situation, a good way to solve it is by talking openly with your employer to find a more manageable solution.
Ask your employer if it’s possible to adjust your working hours or if remote working options are available to give you more flexibility. Sometimes, having these conversations can be nerve-wracking. A good way to prepare is by listing out your primary duties and how you intend to make these adjustments work for you and your employer.
Hire a caregiver
It would be better to hire a domiciliary caregiver in certain instances where you can’t care for your elderly parents. You should consider this option because instead of placing your parents in a home, you can have them cared for right in the comfort of their homes, giving them a sense of belonging. Depending on what services you require, a home caregiver can perform various tasks, including ensuring your parents take their medicines regularly and providing light housekeeping services. Apart from medical care, they also provide companionship to your elderly parents.
Your parents’ health and care matters, so you must research thoroughly to find the best home care possible if you are considering this option. A qualified caregiver must not only have a good reputation but should have also completed the mandatory training for domiciliary care to be qualified to care for your parents.
Make time for yourself
It’s easy to lose yourself when trying to care for your parents while balancing work. However, you must set time aside for self-care. You can take care of yourself by exercising to release stress and eat well. Learn how to take breaks at work and home to clear your mind and relax.
If you feel the strain or are at risk of burning out, don’t be embarrassed to ask for help from your friends and family. They can watch your parents so you can take some time to unwind and get back into a routine. It also helps to talk to a professional or a trusted friend about how you are feeling. Sometimes, talking about what stresses you out is a good way to vent your frustrations.
Involve your kids
If you have kids, you probably know how fond they are of their grandparents and vice versa. Your parents will love spending time with their grandchildren, and talking and bonding with them will improve their mental health and make them healthier. And if you have older kids, you can ask them to help you whenever you are in a tight bind.
Caring for your parents while juggling work and other important aspects of your life can take a toll on you. Fortunately, these tips will help you find the right balance to get things under control and help you give your parents the best life possible.