Are you a Working Caregiver?
With the population of frail, aged people in need of daily care continuing to rise, more employed caregivers will face what seems like a problem with no solution: Planning for the unplannable.

While child-care problems get more attention in the workplace, the emergencies that beset the aged - such as a fall, a stroke, dementia or a life threatening disease or illness - tend to be more disruptive, forcing working caregivers to drop everything and rush to the scene.

If you are a working caregiver, here are some ideas to keep in mind:

·          Keep on top of your work to avoid a backlog in the event you need to take off at a moment's notice.

·          Keep a calendar with details of projects or files on which you are working and list contacts for reference so that coworkers can pick up the ball.

 ·          Inform your employer of your situation and know your company's policy for time off.

·          If you are a perfectionist and accustomed to doing everything on your own, learn to ask others for help.

·          Have your parents' (or that of the individual(s) for whom you are caring) medical information available; include a summary of insurance plans, medications, doctors, and medical history.

·          Understand and make peace with your limits. It is not an easy decision to admit a parent or other loved one to a nursing home

Information from Ritter & Randolf, LLC newsletter www.ritterandrandolph.com