Me and my brother have been caring for our parents for nearly 20 years. My mom passed away about 12 years ago and my step-dad has gone to a memory care after showing signs of dementia and being admitted to the hospital. He's only in transitional care while he does rehab, but I honestly don't think we could go back to living together--not only do we not have the resources to care for him properly, but with us both just in our forties we have a host of medical issues (dental, vision, possible hernias from lifting people and heavy loads daily) we need to deal with after years neglecting our health. Dad has insurance, even if it's Medicare and we're fine with paying the difference on his bills, for long as he's cared for. As for us, obviously we'll try to work if we can, but how do former caregivers go about explaining decades of unemployment? Should we use those years as experience on a resume? Talking with my nieces and nephews, all I see and hear is how you need years of experience just for entry-level jobs. Unfortunately we have no relatives nearby to lean on while we recover, so I know we can't relax just because the load of caring for dad is temporary off our shoulders.
I don't know if this is true for you as well, but I found that another serious problem was deciding what I actually wanted to do, and I dithered and faffed about for far too long. But time pressed on, I was hired on the 28th August, and if I can persuade an employer to take a risk on me then anyone can! I haven't worked for a company since 1989, everything I've done has been either freelance or caregiving-related.
Volunteering is a very good way to let other people see how you function and build up a track record; this is important, because as caregivers we tend to become isolated and when we're asked for references or evidence we're stuck.
Another way to network is through training or vocational education - are you near any colleges that might offer relevant courses?
I should be careful about not letting the youngsters discourage you. For one thing, the old Catch-22 that "you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job" has been a complaint for as long as I can remember, and yet people do, don't they, start work all the time. And for another, you're not looking for the same type of beginning for the same reasons: you, with life experience and real responsibility under your belt, are a completely different proposition as a candidate.
Caregivers basically live off the income of the person they care for, and when they die, that means of support is severed. It's a kind of odd living arrangement where the caregiver and patient need each other to survive.
You do have to plan your life even as a caregiver since they won't be around forever and the bills just keep on coming in!
Age 40's you really are still VERY YOUNG.
I'm 60 years old. I went back to college in my early 50's. If I can do it..anybody can.
Cdulac. Can u comment on whether employers treat senior applicants any differently? I mean, what do they think about hiring seniors?
Thank u.
Good Luck!
https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/returning-to-the-workforce-after-caregiving
That aside, you and brother should not even try to pay facility costs for dad. He should pay himself with his resources. If resources are limited, then dad needs to get on long term care Medicaid. Check with your Area Agency on Aging for any services they may be able to refer you to for dad.
No one talks about it, but once the life of a care giver ends... weather the person the care giver was caring for dies or goes into long term care, there is no longer a sense of normalcy .... It all just stops... and the care giver is left hanging, picking up the pieces of there life . It's lonely . I tried reaching out to old friends, family friends... and honestly , I am starting to give up... I don't know when I'll go back to college or when I'll find work... but no one talks about what a care giver gives up.... they simply give up there life in a way... and no one wants to talk about it or admit to it... I pray one day , I have a sense of normal... but for right now..I'm just taking it day by day ...Learning as I go, how to redo my life, now that I no longer care for my mom.
I feed feral cats, have for 4.5 years, that translates into works well independently.
Problem solving
Working long hours
cooking and cleaning etc.
Go to you local employment centre and ask for a resume building workshop. Look into volunteer activities to help you fill out your resume.
I am the volunteer coordinator at a Tax Clinic. I have given 3 of the volunteers references this year. I have not had requests for references from the other volunteers yet, but I would be happy to provide them.