8 • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • CAREGIVER
Check whether employer
provides caregiving benefits
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While it can be a noble effort to
step in and provide care to a friend
or family member, caregiving can be
time-consuming and emotionally and
physically demanding, particularly for
those who also are balancing careers
and families. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention indicates that
while some aspects of caregiving can
be rewarding, caregivers may be at
increased risk for negative health consequences,
such as depression and difficulty
maintaining healthy lifestyles.
These effects may be exacerbated by
stresses at work.
The challenges of managing caregiving
and a career can be challenging,
but it’s not impossible to perform both
roles successfully.
• Use company assistance or benefits.
Some companies have policies in
place that enable a person to handle
certain aspects of caregiving more
effectively. These can include unpaid
Family and Medical Leave Act leave,
employee assistance counseling programs,
flex time and even telecommuting
capabilities to coordinate work
around caregiving.
• Speak with your employer. Employees
should be honest with their human
resources departments or supervisors
about their roles as caregivers.
Honest communication can help the
employers understand the situations
and perhaps find workarounds that
will satisfy all needs.
• Get organized. Create a shareable
family calendar so everyone stays
up-to-date about caregiving schedules,
family appointments, work responsibilities
and other pertinent events.
Seeing responsibilities spelled out
can help all parties involved divide
time accordingly.
• Develop a safety net. Reach out to
trusted friends or reliable neighbors
who can step in during emergencies
when work schedules cannot immediately
be adjusted.
• Practice self-care. Self-care is crucial
to ensuring a person has the energy
to provide quality care to a loved one
while simultaneously navigating his
or her career. Take breaks as needed.
• Consider professional care services.
Relying on a home care agency
or a skilled nursing facility can be a
solution when a person needs to simultaneously
work and care for a family
member. Individuals also can look
into respite care, which is a temporary
care situation that enables informal
caregivers to get a break for a set time.
Respite care is offered through various
assisted living facilities.
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