Suddenly you found yourself straddled with unplanned caregiving duties, and you still have your day job to contend with, now what?
It’s fair to say that both “duties” are hard enough to fill by themselves however, some caregivers may actually find themselves juggling these two amongst others. If you do, then you deserve a pat on the back.
Work responsibilities and caregiving duties rarely compliment each other especially if you are employed and keeping a 9-5 job. Expectations are often too high and you are bound to make a slip or two. You would know that work and caregiving duties are already taking their sweet toll on you if one day you find yourself distracted, physically tired and in an emotional coma. You may even “resent” that everybody seems to want a piece of you. Once you’ve noticed these signs, you should know you’re in deep trouble.
There is a solution to this, by the way, and you don’t have to do it on your own as well. Your situation calls for better community support as well as united family effort.  In other words, you don’t have to bear this alone and it is never bad to ask for help. Your marriage, your relationship with your own kids and your efficiency at work don’t have to suffer while you deal with an ailing parent, you just need to know where to ask for help and be able to involve your family in the situation. Family involvement is important so is constant communication as they are your way to make each and everyone in the family understand your situation and not expect too much from you.
At work, you must learn how to compromise and be honest with your situation. Come clean with your company manager and seek help on how to make it work. If you’re good with what you do, your manager is sure to understand and help you build a doable work schedule that is both constructive and healthy for you. Examine your company policy and know the options you have as many companies now have programs for working caregivers like you. If yours don’t have one, then initiate one. Don’t be ashamed to do this as it is a requirement by law. Working at home on some days could be a good option too so don’t forget to discuss this with your manager, if the company would allow you to do that.
On your part, try to compartmentalize, that is, try not to do “caregiving” duties when working and try to confine work related thoughts within your office. By doing this, you’re doing your mind a great favor since you allow it to focus on one task at a time rather than distracting it with a hundred and one things to do. Don’t forget to delegate whenever you  need to, and even if you don’t really need to but never forget to say thanks when it is due.