While working as a family caregiver, the decision of leaving your job to become a full-time caregiver or to continue working an outside job can be very overwhelming. You may feel guilt for not being able to dedicate all of your time to your loved one, while also facing concerns of losing out on income, benefits and retirement plans.
Making these types of important decisions takes time and thoughtful planning. In a recent article, Aging Care provides a list of things to consider before leaving your job to become a caregiver, including:
- Calculating lost wages, benefits and health insurance to ensure you can afford daily expenses.
- Explore alternatives and employer accommodations that could eliminate the need to quit.
- Let your employer know about your caregiving responsibility ahead of time.
- Contact your state unemployment insurance office to find out the conditions for receiving UI and if you’re eligible.
Before jumping to any conclusions, it is important to weigh out the benefits and costs of leaving your job to become a full-time caregiver. By understanding your options, you will be able to make an educated decisions of what’s best for you and your family.
