The adult children of aging parents often feel pressured into caring for their mom and dad. As their health and abilities change, it’s almost expected to have immediate family members providing the caregiver help they need. Distant family members may even become accusatory if you don’t drop everything to help.

What if you feel it’s too much? You have a full-time job, children at home, a spouse or significant other, and person and social needs. How are you supposed to balance everything? You need to ask yourself if it’s truly your responsibility to care for them.

Sit Down With Your Boss

If you’re the one providing care for your parents, for now, let your boss know. You may not need time off, but the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects you from losing your job if you need to take weeks off. Not everyone qualifies for FMLA, so it’s important to see if you do.

Talk to Your Brothers and Sisters

Once you know your rights at work, talk to your siblings. They should be helping out in some way. Even if your sister lives on the other side of the country, she could be helping arrange appointments or keeping track of bills and bank balances.

Join Virtual or In-Person Support Groups

Take care of yourself. If you feel pressured or overwhelmed, surround yourself with people in a support group. You’ll find support groups online or locally in churches, hospitals, and senior centers.

You might think you have more experience with certain chronic health conditions or caring for an aging parent than the others. But, they may have tips to share with you. Bouncing ideas and suggestions off others can help you find easier ways to do things for your parents.

Research Professional Caregiver Services

Look into caregiver services that help them with daily activities of living. Transportation services provide them with a ride to and from stores, dental offices, and medical buildings. Meal preparation services have caregivers cooking meals and snacks for your parents. Housekeeping, laundry, companionship, and organization are other helpful services.

It’s okay to feel that you’re not in the best situation to care for your parents. Caregiver services exist for that reason. It’s often a more caring act to arrange senior care aides to help your parents. When you visit, it allows you to spend quality time together instead of rushing to get every chore on the list completed before it’s time to go.

If you are considering Caregiver Services in Bellville OH, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161.  Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Ontario and the surrounding areas.

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Stephen Sternbach

CEO at Central Star Home Health Services

With over 35 years of experience, Stephen Sternbach has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Star Multi Care Services since 1987. After the sale of the New York and New Jersey operations of Star Multi Care Services, Sternbach brought the company private where he remains President and CEO of this 40-million dollar company. With Sternbach at the helm, Star Multi Care Services employs more than 650 employees, in six offices throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

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