Question:
I moved from Georgia to Ohio to care for my mom and stepfather. My mom suffers from dementia and is a newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic. I have not even had time to get my cosmetology license transferred to Ohio so I can open my spa which is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I had to take a job I don’t really like just to get by. I fall asleep coming home from work because I am so tired. It is complicated between the memory loss and the eating habits and the care. How long can this go on?
Answer:
It can’t go on too long without affecting your health and your happiness. Your “CAREGIVING WORK LIFE” is out of BALANCE!
Caregiving work life balance is a dynamic relationship between your achievements and fulfillment (in your multiple roles as a caregiver) and the influences that either distract or support you.
What does that mean you might ask? Think back to when you were a child and you played on a see saw. A little shift on your seat or an extra push off the ground would change the whole action of the seesaw. The life of a caregiver can be an out of control seesaw. Most caregivers are in the mode of constant juggling. A drop in one of those balls in your juggling act can cause massive stress and even a break down in your health and relationships.
Finding and enjoying caregiving work life balance is all about making conscious choices with an awareness of what is needed or wanted at the time. It is very possible to build a thriving business as a spa owner, take care of your mother and have gratifying relationships if you are willing to take the time to examine your current situation with honesty, craft a plan for change and implement it. Remember that small changes often yield big results. It is your choice. Caregiving work life balance is a life style and I can help if you design it. Take a look at our online course for those who need to do this from the comfort of their own homes.
Stella Nsong, RN, CMC, CDP, LTCP