Caregiver Work Balance Support
We are here to provide some caregiver support tips as we understand the daily challenges you face. Experts estimate that six in 10 family caregivers of adults age 50 and over also work a full-time or part-time job. And about half of the workforce expects to be providing care for an elder in the next 5 years. How do you manage the day to day?
Get Organized:
Accordingly, create a family calendar so everyone knows what’s happening, and use it to track activities and doctor’s appointments. If possible, ask siblings to help out, and make a schedule that includes everyone.
Read your Employee Handbook:
Your company may have policies on caregivers, flexible work options, and family leave. As a result, you may also have access to an employee assistance program, which can be a helpful resource.
Keep work separate:
Try to take care of caregiving duties in your personal hours, rather than during work hours. In other words, schedule calls and doctor’s appointments during your lunch hour, and do your research after your done with work for the day.
Have a Backup Plan:
For instance, there may be a time when you have to leave work in a hurry. In particular, make sure you have a co-worker or two who can step into your role, if needed.
Programs to Get Paid as a Caregiver
It is crucial to some caregivers to get paid hence this task may effect their ability to work. Here are some caregiver support tips on programs that may pay a caregiver.
Medicaid Programs
Most states have Medicaid programs that give money to seniors so they can hire an in-home caregiver. For example, this could be a family member or friend instead of a professional caregiver. Some states also allow a spouse to be the paid caregiver. Each state has its own eligibility requirements for their program. Ask how to apply for a program that would pay you for caring for your older adult or disabled individual.
Special State Programs
Some states may have similar programs that pay family caregivers, but for people who are not eligible for Medicaid or who have specific conditions. To find out if there are any special programs that your care recipient may qualify for, contact your local Medicaid office or local Area Agency on Aging.
Veterans Benefits Programs
This home-based care program helps veterans of any age who are at risk of institutional placement to continue to live in their own homes. A veteran can choose the services that best meet their needs and manage their own spending budgets for personal care services. For instance, hiring their own in-home care aides falls into that area – including family and friends. To find out how to apply for veterans benefits programs, contact the local VA regional benefits office.
Strategies for Dealing with Caregiver Stress
The emotional and physical demands involved with caregiving can strain even the most resilient person. Below are some caregiver support tips to deal with stress. With this in mind, it’s important to take advantage of the many resources and tools available to help. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else.
Resources
Share the Care provides training, information & support including on how to organize a group for caregiving
Care for the Caregiver from EmblemHealth offers information, resources and support notably that caregivers need to avoid becoming care recipients.
Caregiver resources: BCBS are helping caregivers tackle common challenges such as exhaustion, emotional stress and isolation.
ElderCare is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program funds a variety of supports that help family and informal caregivers care for older adults in their homes for as long as possible.
The Lifespan Respite Care Program works to improve the delivery and quality of respite services specifically for caregivers of older adults and people with disabilities.
Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: With input from the public, this Council will develop a report that includes best practices, resources, and other useful information especially for grandparents and other older relatives raising children.
The National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Family Support partners with government, academia, and the broad family support stakeholder community to translate state-of-the-art research and training into services and support programs. They do this with the intention to improve the care, health, and quality of life of all persons with disabilities and the families who support them.
