Working to support a family is difficult and demanding. It requires constant commitment and endless sacrifice. For many who work, the family you work to support includes elder parents who require assistance with activities of daily living or with long-term care for chronic illness.
- More than 1 in 6 Americans who work also assist with the care of an elderly or disabled family member, relative, or friend.
- Six out of every 10 caregivers also work.
- More than half of employed caregivers (56%) work full-time.
- The average employed caregiver works 34.7 hours per week.
September 16 is dedicated to those who fulfill their responsibilities as a working parent or caregiver. National Working Parents Day is the perfect time to celebrate YOU!—for your work as a parent and as a caregiver to your elder parent. Here are seven ways to celebrate on September 16:
1. Celebrate Your Elder Parent’s Work!
Talk to your elder parent about where they worked:
- As a child, what did they always want to be when they “grew up”?
- What was their very first job?
- How many jobs have they had?
- What was their favorite or most interesting job?
- What aspects of their work did they enjoy?
You will be surprised at how many stories you never knew about your elder parent’s work! Tell your elder parent how much you appreciate how hard they worked to provide for their family.
2. Connect Your Elder Parent with Friends from Work!
Does your elder parent talk about friends from work whom they haven’t seen in a long time?
- Take your elder parent to visit their former place of employment.
- Take a short trip to reunite your elder parent with a friend from work.
- If your elder parent cannot travel, arrange a visit on the computer or a telephone call with a former colleague.
3. Share Your Work with Your Elder Parent!
Your elder parent is proud of you! They want to know about your work and what you do.
- Take your elder parent to work with you for an afternoon.
- Share with your elder parent your accomplishments at work.
- Tell your elder parent how much you appreciate their support in your work and for your family.
4. Celebrate Your Own Role as a Working Parent and a Caregiver!
As a parent and a caregiver to an elder parent, relative, or friend, maybe you:
- Work full- or part-time.
- Leave the house for work.
- Work from your home.
- Are a single parent.
- Are providing care to a spouse’s parent.
- Cannot work because raising a family and providing care is a full-time job.
In addition to your role as a parent and employee, you deserve recognition and respect for your role as a caregiver. You may not always be perfect, but you are always there—assisting, supporting, encouraging, and loving—fulfilling your responsibility as a working parent and caregiver. The nation celebrates you on September 16—National Working Parents Day.
If you need assistance caring for your elder parent so you can have time to balance your family life and your work life, there is help available. Call your local home care provider today to learn more.
If you or someone you know needs hiring a Caregiver in Hutchinson, MN, contact Adara Home Health Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information.
Sources:
Caregiveraction.org
Caregiver.org