Balancing Work-from-Home Life and Elder Care: Are You Setting the Right Boundaries?
Navigating work-from-home life while caring for an elderly family member is challenging. Discover how to set boundaries and ensure everyone thrives!
Navigating the sea of responsibilities when working from home can be tricky, especially if you're expected to juggle professional duties with caregiving for an elderly family member. How do you care for them without overstepping your boundaries?
Understanding the Emotional Landscape
Some people say the emotional distress from caregiving can push you to feel like you’re not doing enough, especially with a loved one involved. In this case, a mother-in-law (MIL) is reliant on her family, struggling with depression, and might even benefit from professional psychiatric help. Experiencing depression in elders is not uncommon and evaluating the possibility of dementia is crucial to ensuring she receives the right kind of care. Learn more about psychotherapy in such cases.
Setting Firm Boundaries
When you clearly set boundaries, you're not being insensitive—you're looking out for everyone involved. For example, making it clear that you’re not there to become the primary carer can alleviate miscommunications and misaligned expectations with your partner. Though the guilt might tug at you, remind yourself of your limitations. Working from a different location like a library or a coffee shop could also provide the necessary mental space.
Exploring Care Options
It's important to ensure that your MIL receives consistent and adequate care, perhaps from professional caregivers or in a facility equipped to meet her needs. Sometimes, admitting that the care required is more than you can provide is the best decision.
Communication is Key
Your partner should be leading the charge in his mother's care. Keep the lines of communication open, recording incidents if necessary to showcase the gravity of the situation. This will help him understand that caregiving is a shared responsibility among family members—and it's okay to hire help.
Dealing with family responsibilities is never easy, and striking the right balance is a fine art. Remember, your well-being matters too!
