How Providing Eldercare Affects Your Job Security

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In 2001 the best of all possible things happened to me. I got fired when caring for a parent with Alzheimer's disease. I just wasn't able to concentrate on signing deals and care for my mother who was wandering at the time. So, with the help of unemployment benefits I lived with mom and cared for her until the day she passed away. This experience changes you forever and I am now a Geriatric Care Manager who has developed a program just to help adult children who find themselves in this position. There is a way around this dilemma. Ask me how. A Good Daughter Elder Care Management in Boca Raton, Fl.

Olga Brunner of FL 4:32PM April 23, 2009

I am intrigued by the many women whom like myself are sandwich caregivers. I started my family young , therfore at the age of 48 am trying to complete bachelors.I have spent many years in various administrative , customer service,sales, waitressing bartending etc.. just to make monthly cost of living. Over the years, my son has had unfortunately endured accidents requiring multiple surgeries with lifelong implications,He is never having another painful experience if I can help it. Most of my years have been as single parent. Today, I am trying to go through the loss of my mom from esophogael cancer..she was diagnosed in 9/07. At the time it was 4th stage and not operable..she was amazinginly brave through her treatment. From the first chemo treatment she lost the ability to drive from the neuropathy brought on by the drugs..she ultimately went to a walker , and then mobility chair.. at the time she was retired and living frugally on her pension from the power company after 35 years of service.I had been working as an athletic trainer in my fiances business ( unbeknowngst to me was the financial issues he had, hence I drew no income yet ,continued to work doing massage and training when i could to receive some cash while I cared for my mom.) I knew it was going to be a challenge , but know I feel so much anxiety about which wat to go with work and education..one part keeps telling me no matter what I cannot seem to make the income I need to live in a safe part of the city, maintain a vehicle, my own medical insurance, etc..as I type this I have been on hold for an hour waiting for the mortgage company to answer my call..The other part of my challenge is my mom's finances(she was sadly bankrupt) and the current economic changes have not been much help.I am mortified by the way our parents receive or don't receive the help, respect,time, or even just basic needs..if anyone has hope,insight,direction,please speakup I know I am blessed in many ways and I am grateful, yet I am petrified. thankyou for listening

ann wilsonmcgrath of NE 12:56PM April 23, 2009

Thanks so much for the information. I've been my Mother's care giver for the pass 14 years, I've just left my job to take care of her full time. She is 93 years young. I'm not quite sure where or how to start, I just know that it's the right thing to do, for both of us. So if anyone out there knows of any legitamet work at home opportunities please let me know. Thank you

kathy of NV 11:22PM April 22, 2009

Thanks so much for sharing the results of this survey. It's an interesting comparison between the experience of child-caring and elder-caring as it relates to our careers. And, I think it's wonderful you highlight that support in child-caring situations may be more readily available than for an elder-caring situation. Caregiving for an aging relative can be such an isolating experience. We have information on our site about working and caregiving, including tips to consider if you find yourself debating whether to quit a job to be full-time family caregiver: http://www.caregiving.com

Denise of IL 2:36PM April 18, 2009

As part of the Sandwich Generation, caring for both parents and grandkids, I really appreciated the info in this article. I am blessed at the moment to be able to work from home. I worked out of the home for a couple of years when my kids were in junior high and that was somewhat stressful when they were sick or had school holidays. With both young and old now it would definitely add to the stress load if I had to juggle working outside the home. Even working from home be difficult when all are also sick!
I was especially interested to read that those like me with multi-generational caregiving requirements seem to have it a bit easier since they are networking with people thru the parents of their kids' friends. I have found this to be true as well, though for me it's the parents of my grandkids' friends. I have so many friends who are much younger than me that I've met through church, Awanas, and school as I help with my grandkids. And you're right, it has been a big help and blessing to have them. :)

Kaye Swain - SandwichINK of VA 1:01PM April 18, 2009

I'm lucky in that I work at home via the computer doing web work and writing. When one of my folks need extra care or need me to take them to the doctors, I can make up my hours late at night or early in the morning.
It is true that there is not as much support for eldercare as child care.

Mary of OH 9:41PM April 17, 2009