How upfront should you be with a new employer regarding your caregiving situation?

I have found that it is best to be upfront about my job as a caregiver. I have been in the same teaching job for many years, but seem to get a new boss every year! I let them know my mom's situation and the potential emerencies. So far, they have all been very understanding. I think more and more adults are dealing with elderly parent issues. I think when an employer understands that you don't take advantages of emergencies and work hard to make up time lost they are understanding.

Cindy - I am in the same situation with my 86 year old mother. I teach school all day while a caregiver is with my mother. I go home after work and start the whole caregiver day. Anything that can go wrong always goes wrong the minute I walk in the door. She is fine with the caregiver, but the "problems" start when I come home. I am "on duty" with her until I go to bed. Then I get up and start the process over again! The only thing I can say is that going to work saves my sanity! I am the only teacher who dreads the coming of summer! We, too, may be facing the nursing home issue soon. My mother's health is failing and I'm afraid that I won't be able to care for her at home. She is so afraid of a nursing home, even though we have several that are very good in our small city. Sad to say, but I hope she doesn't live long enought to go to a home. There are so many tough decisions, it is no wonder that we are stressed and depressed. Good luck in your job search.

From reading your question, I am assuming you mean that you are starting a new job and want to know how much information you should give your new employer about the caregiving you give to a family member.

I am going to be faced with the same problem. I take care of my father and share the responsibility with my brother. We rotate shifts so that we both have some time to get our own lifes together. The problem is I need to go back to work or lose everything I've worked for the past 40 years. I know my brother cannot take care of my dad alone. How do I explain to a potential employer that I sometimes get emergency calls and have to leave to help with my elderly father? I'm afraid this is going to keep me from getting hired, but I could never be at work and ignore the fact that my father needs my help and I can't go to him. I cannont imagine working an 8 hour day, and coming home and caring for my father until he goes to bed at night. There is no room for my own life now, I will be giving up what little free time remains for myself. If it has to be done, I will do it...I just don't know how much longer I can stand the stress and depression I keep falling in and out of.

Why doesn't this country do something about those of us who have to take care of our elderly parents or loved ones and are unable to hold down a full time job because of it? There is no compensation for caregivers in NYS. Think of the money Medicare and Medicaid would save paying a caregiver at home rather then spending 300.00++ per day for a nursing home. Not to mention the fact that nursing homes are nothing more then death beds waiting to happen. They are under staffed and the residents are neglected way too much. I recently filed a formal complaint with the nursing home my father was in for short term rehab after leaving the hospital. The nursing home not only wasn't able to maintain his health, they watched him get sicker until he had to be rushed back to the hospital in an ambulance. They did nothing that was supposed to be done to keep my father at his level of health when he entered the home. I can only imagine what they do to the long term patients that have no once checking on their care or health. It's disgusting to say the least.

Hello My name is Dolores Murillo, I am a certified nurse Assistant, I wanted to know how can i go about signing up with your agency for job assigment.

I live in Berwyn IL, I drive, I cook, Clean, Laundry, baths, massage, take patients to their doctor's appointment.

I was doing private duty on my own until recently my patient went to a nursing home. My assisgment was over.

I am now looking for a long term assisgment in the am hours no weekends please for i work in office on the weekends, I have 10 experience working in the nursing field.

If you have any job open please email me or call me Thank You

Sincerely Yours

Dolores Murillo
708-601-1906

Are you wanting to be employed as a carefiver with a company? Or are you talking about hiring a new caregiver? In caring for a loved one, be up front about your concerns, but be polite and ask it in a loving way. Don't accuse, or even give a hint about that. They are usually very understanding and have heard these questions before. It's not that hard to express your feelings concerning the worries you have about leaving a caregiver alone in your home with a loved one while no one else is there. I hope I answered your question. I am new to this field as well and share these concerns greatly, so I would do the same thing I am sharing with you.