Q: How can I reduce my stress as a working family caregiver?
A: Caring for a loved one can be a full-time job and feel stressful on its own. For those who are also managing a job outside the home while providing care for a loved one, it can sometimes feel unmanageable. Finding ways to work at reducing your stress is important to ensuring you can continue all your important responsibilities.
AARP and S&P Global recently conducted a survey of family caregivers who work either part-time or full-time jobs. They considered family caregivers to be anyone who provides 6 or more hours a week of care to an adult.
One thing is for sure, working family caregivers are not alone. While sometimes it may feel lonely because you are busy doing all your tasks, you are surrounded by a community. There are 48 million family caregivers in the United States alone and of those, 61 percent are also working outside jobs.
The survey showed the reality of the stressful load working family caregivers carry. Two-thirds of all people surveyed reported having difficulty balancing work and life responsibilities. Many, around 27 percent, had to reduce their working hours because of their caregiving role. And a staggering 84 percent reported that their caregiving duties had a moderate or high impact on their daily stress.
Of course, none of these statistics are surprising, but they are concerning. If the family caregiver is unable to provide care, then what happens to the older adult with care needs? Our community relies on family caregivers. However, all too often we see the family member burning out, becoming so stressed that they become ill, and no longer able to provide the care in the way it is needed.
To reduce stress, family caregivers need both emotional and physical support. Seek out emotional support in the way of a friend to talk to, a therapist, or a caregiver support group. Having a safe space to share your feelings and get feedback and support is crucial. Caregiver emotions can be complicated. They often include feelings of guilt, loneliness and worry about your own abilities. Talking about them and processing with others can help build your emotional resilience.
Education can also help in your caregiving role. Whether from a support group or a consultation with a professional, understanding your loved ones needs, behaviors and health issues can help you feel more confident in your role and better understand other resources to help. You can find a support group or professional to speak with through a local Caregiver Resource Center. Call the Ventura County Area Agency on aging at 805-477-7300 to find a Center near you, or go to their website at https://www.vcaaa.org/our-services/caregiver-services/.
Talk to your employer about your schedule or look for a job that provides the flexibility you need. Keep one calendar that merges work and home life so that you can see what each day looks like as a whole. Prepare snacks and water bottles so that you are taking care of your own hydration and nutrition throughout the day.
Prioritize and then re-prioritize. If your day’s schedule is not manageable, make a change or ask for help. Paid help or asking family and friends to take something off your to-do list is sometimes a necessity.
Consider taking time off if needed. California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program allows eligible workers to take up to eight weeks off work to care for a seriously ill loved one and receive a portion of their wages. You can learn more here: https://edd.ca.gov/en/disability/paid-family-leave/caregivers/. If your employer has a Human Resources department, talk to them about this benefit to see if you qualify.
There is no easy answer to how to reduce stress. The important part is deciding that your health and well-being is worth seeking out ways to help.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.