Are You a ‘Career Caregiver’? Let Our Care Coaches Help.

The term “career caregiver” may be new to you. At first glance, you might think it refers to doctors, nurses, social workers or one of hundreds of other professional healthcare job titles. A career caregiver is another name for an informal or family caregiver. The difference is that the person, most often a female, is caring for an aging family member and also works outside the home.

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, 53 million Americans provide unpaid care to a family member. One in five of those caregivers is caring for an adult with health or functional needs. And, 26% are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Balancing work and caregiving

More than one in six Americans working full-time or part-time report assisting with the care of an elderly or disabled family member, relative or friend. Caring for an aging or ill family member is stressful. Adding the pressures of caregiving onto the demands of working outside the home is a lot to manage. In addition to that, these career caregivers often are also raising a family of their own.

This trifecta of caring for a parent or other aging family member while also raising a family and working outside the home can be a recipe for disaster. A study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that 70% of working caregivers suffer work-related difficulties due to the dual and triple roles. Some make at least one change in their employment, such as cutting back on their hours, taking a leave of absence, receiving negative feedback about performance or attendance, or arriving late or leaving early to take their parent or other relative to medical appointments.

You don’t have to do it alone

Caregivers do not have to navigate these challenges on their own. MemoryLane Care Services provides care coaching and counseling services to anyone caring for a family member or a friend living with dementia.

“Caring for a family member with dementia is challenging. Balancing working outside the home while also wading through information and trying to identify resources for assistance can be overwhelming,” said Cheryl Conley, Social Services Director.

“Our person-centered approach to coaching is focused on reducing stress, providing emotional support, problem solving, and preventing future issues,” Conley added.

Care coaches work with caregivers and adults with dementia to:

• Address immediate concerns
• Navigate difficult conversations about care
• Coordinate care, community services, and support
• Create an action plan to meet your specific needs

The benefits of Care Coaching

Our experts are with you throughout your caregiving journey. One of our participants shared her perspective on the value of Care Coaching.

“My husband’s memory started to deteriorate a few years ago. The more forgetful he became, the more I had to do. After I landed in the hospital stressed and exhausted, I knew I needed help. When I called the care