Back to school is busy enough : When is it time to get help caring for an aging one?

September brings a familiar routine for many families: school drop offs, homework, after school activities, packed lunches, work deadlines, appointments and everything in between

But for many adults, there is another responsibility happening behind the scenes: caring for an aging parent or loved one

If your raising children , working full time and acting as the primary caregiver for an aging parent , then welcome to the sandwich generation , adults who are caring for their children while also providing care and support to an aging or disabled parent

And sometimes, the hardest part isn't that you don't want to help. It's that there simply aren't enough hours in the day

YOU'RE ALREADY JUGGLING ENOUGH

Getting the kids ready for another school year can feel like a full time job by itself. Add a career, household responsibilities and the needs of an aging parent, and your schedule can quickly become overwhelming

You may find yourself:

• Leaving work early to take your parent to an appointment

• Driving across town to prepare meals or check on them

• Helping with bathing, dressing or grooming

• Picking up prescriptions 

• Coordinating doctors appointments

• Managing household errands

You may be telling yourself , I can handle it

But the question isn't whether you love your parent enough to handle it

The question is whether you should have to handle everything on your own

THE SANDWICH GENERATION IS CARRYING A LOT

New research from AARP and the national Alliance for Caregiving highlights just how demanding this responsibility has become, nearly 17 million Americans are part of the sandwich generation, simultaneously raising children while caring for an adult with a disability or complex medical condition.The research also found that 67% of employed sandwich generation caregivers experience work disruptions because of caregiving

That means the challenge isn't simply finding the time to help Mom or Dad, It's trying to balance your career, your children and your loved ones needs all the same time

Think about what your week would look like with help

Imagine being able to focus on your child's soccer game without worrying whether your parent has eaten

Imagine being able to stay at work without constantly checking your phone because you know someone is there to provide support

Imagine having the time to take care of your own household while knowing your loved one isn't spending the entire day alone

Homecare isn't about replacing family, it's about supporting family

Your parent still has you.

This school year, give yourself permission to seek support

At WellCare Nurses , we provide home and community based care to help seniors, individuals with disabilities and families throughout New Jersey. Our goal is to provide dependable, licensed caregivers that supports your loved one remain comfortable and supported at home while giving family caregivers greater peace of mind

If you're trying to balance work, children and the care of an aging loved one, you don't have to do it all alone.

Contact WellCare Nurses to learn more about home care options for your loved one and how our team can help your families create a care plan that works for your needs