Are You a Working Caregiver? Is Your Care Buddy Home Alone?
According to the National Family Caregiver Alliance caregivers 60% of caregivers (age 50-64 years old), 
work full or part-time. What that means is that there are many spouses, elder parents, and disabled loved ones who are home alone. It’s so hard to know what to do. Home care is costly and not every area has adequate adult care and day-care options.
You worry about them falling, not eating, forgetting to take their meds, or just being plain lonely.
But you need to work. You need the income and the benefits. You need the mental stimulation and outlet.
How can you know if your elder or spouse is safe?
Consider a webcam. There’s nothing like being able to see your home from your computer while you’re at work.
Get a safety monitor.
My mom called it her “button” and we used to “practice” when you use it. It was my job to make sure she wore it every day—and remembered to use it.
Ask for shorter hours or have someone stop by.
Ask if you can work out of your home 1-2 days a week, or even consider a job-share.
Can you hire a neighbor to bring in the mail? Can you arrange for Meals on Wheels? Can another relative volunteer one afternoon a week? The more people come and go, the less your loved one is completely alone.
Set appliances on timers.
If your elder is tad forgetful, why not have the toaster or stove top turn off at a certain time? That way, you have less to worry about.
Have your emergency plans in place.
Storms, fires, break-ins…all the things we don’t want to happen. You need a clear plan for making sure your elder has someone to call—or someone who will automatically check on them and get there quickly.
Check out adult day-cares.
More and more communities are offering elder and senior care support. If you haven’t checked lately, go online and type in your area name (city or county) plus keywords such as elder services, elder care, elder home care, senior community resources. You might have lots more options than you realize.
Being a working caregiver isn’t easy. Planning and preparation does help—and you can circumvent accidents by staying aware and investigating every option. Change is the name of the game—so be flexible and look for great folks who are willing to help you care for your loved one. It’s not easy, but on a good day, caregiving—and working—is s doable.
