That’s how quickly my life changed. My mother suffered a minor stroke and subsequent pulmonary embolism. She was hospitalized twice and she too was battling the beginnings of dementia. My mom had always been so independent, to the point of joining me and my friends for an occasional happy hour (pre-COVID-19). However now, she really needed my help. Her memory was no longer as good and, although she was not disabled, she needed help keeping track of medications, doctor’s appointments and light housework.

Of course, by the time my mom got sick, my corporate job was busier than ever. She often found me working long hours, albeit at home, to stay on top of things while also trying to keep an eye on Mom. Any life I had outside of work and my mom seemed to disappear. Exhaustion was on the horizon.

Juggling caregiving and full-time work is not uncommon. According to the researchers, in 2014 there were approximately 23.9 million caregivers who also had outside jobs. So how do you find a balance between caring and having a full-time job? Here are some things I learned:

Juggling caregiving and full-time work is not uncommon. According to the researchers, in 2014 there were approximately 23.9 million caregivers who also had outside jobs. So how do you find a balance between caring and having a full-time job? Here are some things I learned:

Get organized. That means organizing your life so you can be effective both in caregiving and in your work. I started my mornings an hour earlier than usual. This way, I was able to do some early morning meditation, eat breakfast, and speed through my paperwork before I was inundated with emails and phone calls. I also set up a calendar for my mom, so she could easily keep track of her doctor’s appointments. The family invested in a 30-day pillbox, complete with an alarm that made it easy for my mom to know which pills to take and when.

I looked for help. Even though my sisters lived on the opposite shore, they came to help take care of my mom. While a full-time nurse was not necessary, we were able to get a nurse to come in twice a week to check on my mom and her medications. Home care nursing was covered by Medicare. This help from others was invaluable. I was able to regroup and spend time on things that needed my attention at home.

take some time for yourself Even if you only have 30 minutes to spare, spend it on yourself. Me time can be used to relax, meditate, spend time with friends, or just take a long bath. You should also take care of your health. Get some exercise like a brisk walk and eat right. If you start to feel sick, take some time to get medical attention. You cannot help a loved one if they are not healthy.

Talk to other people who might be in the same situation.. Reach out to colleagues who have also cared for a sick or elderly loved one. These people are not only a source of wisdom and encouragement, but they will also help you feel that you are not alone.

Juggling caregiving and full-time work is never easy. But if you have a plan, doing both is possible.

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