More than 1 in 4 adult Canadians are actively providing care to an elderly parent or a family member. Even under the most ideal of circumstances, this can be both mentally and physically taxing. And now that many of us are working from home because of COVID-19, it can be especially difficult since friends and family members that you may have relied on before are not able to help.
Your parents and family love you and they want to spend time with you. But depending on their own personal experiences and knowledge of the current work environment, they may not fully grasp that you have the same responsibilities while working from home as you do when you go into the office.
So how can you balance working from home while caring for an elderly parent or a family member? Here are a few ideas:
1. Establish a routine
Do your best to have a routine for your parents or family members as close as possible to what it was before the COVID-19 lockdown started. This includes meal times, favourite TV shows, as well as times that you are going to set aside to talk or do an activity with them.
2. Set boundaries for yourself
Let your family know the timeframes that you are working and set clear signals as to when they should not interrupt you (such as when your office door is closed or when you are on the computer). By the same token, you need to let them know which circumstances warrant an interruption (such as if they need help going to the washroom).
3. Be honest with your employer and your responsibilities
One way to relieve some of the stress of working from home and caring for a parent or a family member is to simply be honest with your employer about your responsibilities at home. Most employers will be quite understanding and accommodating – in fact, there is a good chance that they are (or have been) in the same situation as you!
4. Get some help
Even though physical distancing measures may prevent friends and family members from assisting the same way they used to, it doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own. Vera Home Care’s professional caregivers are trained and experienced in helping you provide your elderly parent or a family member with the safe and competent care and companionship they need during this pandemic. Contact us today for more information!
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