fbpx

6 Real-Life Strategies for Managing Dementia Caregiving and Work

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

There are approximately 15.7 million Americans who serve as family caregivers for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. The majority of these caregivers are also juggling their own responsibilities, including full- or part-time jobs.

“Sixty percent of family caregivers are still in the workforce, and that number is expected to increase over the next five years as the Baby Boomers continue to age,” says Cindy Wirth, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury, a memory care assisted living community in Sudbury, MA.

“The sandwich generation is truly stretched to the max,” Cindy says. “These folks are often balancing caregiving responsibilities, work responsibilities and raising-the-kids responsibilities.

And of course, ‘caregiving’ extends to more than just the hands-on care for your loved one. It also means managing their bills, coordinating meals, scheduling doctor’s appointments and the like – all which take up a lot of time and energy.”

It’s essential to learn strategies to balance caregiving, your employment and everything else so you can continue to do everything well without burning out. “There are two things you must remember,” says Cindy. “First, you need a strategy in order to accomplish everything. Second, you cannot do it alone, so you’ll need to form a team and support group who can help you when necessary. With those two things in place, you’ll find that managing everything in your life, including caring for your loved one with dementia, is actually possible.”

 

1. Know what you’re up against.
To put together a good strategy, you need to know exactly what you’re trying to accomplish. You have a lot on your to-do list and keeping a list in your head just isn’t going to cut it. Instead, create a family or online calendar (like Google Calendar) that your family and other helpers can view. Use the calendar to schedule activities, coordinate tasks and assign duties. There are digital apps that can help with this as well, such as Caring Village.

 

2. Look at your employee handbook.

It’s possible that your company – particularly a large company – already has policies, benefits and options in place for family caregivers. Look through your employee handbook or connect with HR or ER to see what options are available to you. Besides flexible policies, they may also have an employee assistance program or partnerships with area resources that can greatly benefit you.

 

3. Schedule a conversation with your manager.

Caregiving is an important and significant part of your life, and you’ll want your boss to know about it so he or she can have your back. Schedule at least a half-hour conversation and be prepared with some talking points. By showing that you’ve thought the situation through and have solutions and options for potential concerns or pain points, your manager will be better able to support you. For example:

  • Ask your manager about flexible work schedules and discuss effective solutions. For example, if working 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. each day would be better for you, is that an option? Can you work from home on certain days?
  • Let your manager know that work will continue to be a priority and that you will ensure clear communication if, say, you’re leaving early but will be back online later in the evening.
  • Depending on your relationship with your manager, your company and your individual role, would it be possible to move temporarily into an alternate job that better accommodates you?

 

4. As much as possible, keep work and personal lives separate.

It’s difficult to separate work from life these days, but as much as possible, try to handle your caregiving duties during personal hours instead of your “on the clock” hours. Use your lunch hour to schedule calls and doctor’s appointments, for example. This can be hard to do at first, but with practice,  it will get easier.

 

5. Have a backup plan.

The best laid plans of caregivers can quickly fall apart. When they do, make sure you have a backup at work who can step into your role if needed. Choose a close co-worker or two who know your situation and are willing to pitch in when necessary. On the flip side, find someone on your care or support team who can be your backup if something comes up at home and you absolutely have to be at work.

 

6. Look into FMLA.

The Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, is a program that allows you to take up to 12 weeks off every year without worrying about your job security. You aren’t paid for these 12 weeks, but it does offer you protection from being fired for missing work. It also ensures that you will keep your health coverage – a very important detail, as you know.

In order to qualify for FMLA, you will need to meet certain requirements, such as working for a company with at least 50 employees (state laws may cover smaller employers, so it’s important to do your research), and that you’ve worked at the company for at least 12 months. Your employer may have individual policies regarding FMLA, such as requiring you to use PTO first before filing for FMLA.

One thing you might not know is that FMLA does not have to be taken all at once. Depending on the way you work or how you plan to take your leave, you can take the time in smaller chunks or use the time to work a reduced schedule.

 

Work can be stressful, and being a caregiver can be stressful, but with good planning and support, you can navigate the stressors and find a solution that works for all facets of your life. Remember, you have good people around you and supporting you, and by providing solutions and options, you will find that you have more support than you may have thought. You are not alone.

 

Exceptional Care & Engaging Lifestyle

Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury provides exceptional memory care in a comfortable and engaging environment. Designed specifically to support those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community delivers a wellness-focused lifestyle that respects individual preferences and abilities. Our teams receive ongoing, specialized training so they may help residents to safely exercise their independence in a secure, calm environment.

 

Dedicated Memory Care

Our expert dementia care and comprehensive services are tailored to meet the unique needs of our residents, wherever they are on their journey with memory loss. Our life enrichment programs are personalized to residents’ interests and abilities, providing joy and meaning in daily life and enhancing emotional well-being.

 

Purpose-Built Design

Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury is more than a safe, beautiful place to live; it’s truly a home, where compassionate, dementia-educated caregivers help people with memory loss live more fulfilling lives. Our research-based design features soft lighting and colors, non-glare flooring, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to comfortably move about their home with confidence.

 

Contact us today to learn more.

Learn More About Bridges®

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Loading...