They’ve raised you and your siblings. Calmed your fears. Cleaned up your messes. Now, they need your help.
How do you return the favor?
As working professionals, we’re constantly juggling between work and family obligations. At times it can feel as if everyone is competing for our attention–husband, kids, parents, boss, clients, and even friends. What a girl to do! I’ve often felt guilty about the family functions I’ve missed because I had to travel for work. But that’s nothing compared to what others are grappling with.
I was speaking with a friend recently who asked about how my company can help overwhelmed professionals who’re caught between work and family obligations. She knew someone who recently decided to quit working to become a caregiver for her elderly parents. The individual lived in New Jersey with her husband and kids. Her parents lived in the City. It so happens she worked in the City, so several times a week she’d go by their house to check on them and help with housework and errands. After some time trying to balance work and family became too much to handle and so she chose to leave her job.
When faced with such complex situations quitting work can sometimes seem like our only option. After all, you get to devote more time to supporting the parents. But that also comes with some new realities. At the top of the list is the risk to your own family’s financial security, which shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Think about it. You’re going from two incomes to one, which could mean a leaner budget for your household. On top of that, most family caregivers don’t just help with household tasks, errands or personal care, they’re also providing financial help to their parents. So, one must also factor in whether they’ll have the financial means to support two households.
This is a dilemma many of us will face at some point in our lives. Fact is, there’s no right or wrong answer here. We each get to do what feels right for our families. However, know you don’t have to do it alone. There’s support available to help you make an informed decision.
If you’re unsure of your options and not in a position to quit working, we can help you assess the pros and cons of whatever healthcare-related decisions you’re struggling with. I am a board-certified patient advocate who specializes in helping healthcare consumers find solutions that save time, money and effort. Reach out to me to discuss your healthcare challenges and explore how we can help.
