Looking after an ageing parent while working can be difficult to fit around your own life. You might be helping with shopping, meals and appointments, checking in before or after work, or finding yourself taking on more as their needs change.
That pressure can build over time. A study found that 35% of working carers had reduced their hours, while 21% had moved into a lower-paid or more junior role.
With this in mind, here are some practical ways families in Southport, Formby and the surrounding areas can share caring responsibilities and find extra support when needed.
1) Talk About What Needs to Be Done
Start with a clear conversation about what your parent actually needs help with. It could be a few weekly shopping trips, help with meals, transport to appointments, or more regular personal care.
Write down the tasks and how often they need to be done. This makes it easier to see how much time caring is taking and where other family members can help. You may also find that some jobs can be shared between relatives.
Talk to your parents too. Their preferences should be heard, particularly if they can still manage some tasks independently.
2) Share the Caring
If siblings or other relatives are available, divide tasks based on everyone’s work schedules and other responsibilities.
For example, one person might handle weekly shopping, another could take your parent to appointments, and someone else could check in during the evenings. A shared calendar or group chat can make it easier to keep track of visits and appointments.
A care plan can also be useful. It can list medication, appointments, emergency contacts, important routines, and who is responsible for different tasks.
3) Talk to Your Employer
Your employer may be able to offer changes that make working and caring easier. Eligible employees have the right to request flexible working from their first day of employment. Options can include changing working hours, working from home, compressed hours, part-time work, or job sharing.
Employees also have a statutory right to up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave each year to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need.
You do not necessarily need to reduce your working hours right away. Speaking to your manager can help you make practical changes.
4) Look at Local Support
Southport families do not have to rely entirely on relatives for support. Your local council can provide information about care and support services, while a carer’s assessment can help identify what support you may need in your caring role.
Your parent may also be able to have a care needs assessment. This looks at how they manage everyday activities and what help could make life easier. Support could include help at home, equipment, community services, or other forms of care.
5) Consider Home Care
If your parent is comfortable at home but starting to need more help day to day, home care could be worth considering. A care worker can visit regularly to help with things like washing, dressing, meals, medication, shopping or simply providing some company.
For families looking for local support, Mountbatton Care provides CQC-registered home care in Southport, tailored around the level of help each person needs. Having that extra support at home can also make it easier for family members to balance caring with work and their own responsibilities.
6) Use Respite Care When You Need a Break
Respite care allows someone else to look after your parent while you take time away from your caring role. This can range from a paid carer visiting the home for a few hours to a short stay in a care home.
Respite care can be especially useful when family carers are struggling to cover holidays, work commitments, or other periods when their usual arrangements are not available.
Balancing Work and Caring in Southport
Caring for an ageing parent alongside work and family life isn’t always easy, especially as the amount of help they need starts to change. The important thing is knowing that you don’t have to take everything on yourself.
Talk as a family about what you can realistically manage and where you might need some extra help. That could mean sharing visits, asking about flexible working or arranging local care at home.
As your parent’s needs change, keep talking and adjusting the support around them so it continues to work for everyone.