Balancing Work and Caregiving
June is Professional Wellness Month, a time to recognize the importance of well-being in the workplace. For caregivers who are also managing careers, this month offers a much-needed reminder that your wellness matters, too.
If you’re a working caregiver, you’re not alone. More than 60% of family caregivers also hold a job which means juggling deadlines, meetings, and career goals while managing medical appointments, emotional support, and daily care for a loved one. It’s no surprise that this dual role often leads to burnout, exhaustion, and feelings of being stretched too thin.
Professional Wellness Month is an opportunity to check in with yourself and explore practical ways to support your well-being at work and at home.
1. Advocate for Flexibility
Start by reviewing what support might already be available through your workplace. Flexible schedules, remote work options, or even slight shift adjustments can make a huge difference in your stress levels. If you haven’t already, talk to your manager or HR representative. You don’t have to share every detail, just enough to explain that you have caregiving responsibilities and are seeking balance.
Use clear, collaborative language, such as:
“I’m committed to my role here and want to be upfront about needing some flexibility as I navigate caregiving. Can we talk about options that would support both my work and my responsibilities at home?”
2. Set Boundaries That Protect Your Energy
Boundaries aren’t barriers, they’re essential guardrails. As a working caregiver, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of saying “yes” to every request, both professionally and personally. But over-commitment leads to depletion.
Try these simple practices:
💜 Block off time on your calendar for caregiving tasks so colleagues don’t book over them.
💜 Say no to extra projects unless you genuinely have capacity.
💜 Silence notifications after work hours if possible, even for short windows of uninterrupted care or rest.
Boundaries help you show up more fully in both roles.
3. Tap into Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Many companies offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which are free, confidential resources that support mental health, legal concerns, caregiving, and more. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, EAPs can connect you with counseling, eldercare referrals, stress management tools, and financial guidance.
EAPs aren’t only for crises. They’re designed to prevent burnout, not just respond to it.
4. Give Yourself Credit
You’re doing something remarkable. Balancing work and caregiving is a logistical feat and an act of resilience and love.
This month, take a moment to reflect on what you need, not just as a professional or caregiver, but as a whole person. Your well-being is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
You deserve support at work. You deserve space to care. You deserve the same compassion you so freely give to others.
For solutions for caregivers’ common mistakes, check out 21 Mistakes Caregivers Make & How to Avoid Them: Solutions and Strategies to Reduce Stress and Increase Happiness, available on Amazon! Are you looking for a dynamic speaker on caregiver empowerment? Go to my speaking page, and let’s connect!
The advice offered is for general information only; please consult your healthcare team, legal, or financial advisors for guidance.
