steps to take. Or if the concerns are about your loved one, you can talk to the medi- cal team. Otherwise, thank them. And reassure them that you are taking the necessary steps to get your loved one and family through this tough time.


Handling Work Issues One of the greatest sources of strain


for some caregivers is trying to balance work demands with providing care and support to a loved one. Caregiving can have effects on your work life in many ways, such as these:


•Causing mood swings that leave co- workers confused or reluctant to work with you


• Making you distracted or less produc- tive


• Causing you to be late or call in sick because of the stress


• Creating pressure from being the sole provider for your family if your spouse or partner is not able to work


• Creating pressure to keep working, even though retirement may have been approaching


It’s a good idea to learn more about


your company’s rules and policies related to a family member’s illness. See if there are any support programs for employees. Many companies have employee assis- tance programs with work-life counselors for you to talk to. Some companies have eldercare policies or other employee ben- efit programs that can help support you. our employer may let you use your paid sick leave to take care of your loved one. Or they may let you take leave without pay.


If your employer doesn’t have any


policies in place, you could try to arrange something informally. Examples include flex-time, shift-exchanging, adjusting your schedule, ortelecommuting as needed. The Family and Medical Leave Act


may apply to your situation. Covered em- ployers must give eligible employees up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period to care for an immedi- ate family member with a serious health condition. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor website at http://www.dol.gov/esa/


If you have not done so already, it’s


important to start talking with your loved one about advance directives. Advance


• What kind of help does your loved one need, and for how long?


• Could you remodel the house or move to a smaller or different one?


• Is it risky for your loved one to be home alone?


You’ll also need to consider how your


loved one feels. She or he may fear: • Losing her independence • Being seen as weak or a burden to you and others • Moving to a health care or other type of assisted living facility


These are tough issues. Sometimes it’s


easier to consider a change in living ar- rangements when the advice comes from a health care professional. Social workers, doctors, nurses, home care providers, and agencies that work with older adults may be able to help you talk to your loved one.


Preparing Advance Directives


whd/fmla for more information. Looking at Living Arrangements Sometimes treatment raises questions


about living arrangements. When making these decisions, you should ask:


Legal Papers At-A-Glance Advance directives:


• A living will lets people know what kind of medical care patients want if they are unable to speak for themselves.


• A durable power of attorney for health care names a person to make medical decisions for a patient if he or she can’t make them. This person, chosen by the patient, is called a health care proxy.


Other legal papers that are not part of the advance directives:


• A will tells how a person wants to di- vide money and property among his or her heirs. (Heirs are usually the surviving family members. Other people may also be named as heirs in a will.)


• Power of attorney appoints a person to make financial decisions for the patient when he or she can’t make them.


Note: A lawyer does not always


need to be present when you fill out these papers. However, a notary public may be needed. Each state has its own laws about advance directives. Check with a lawyer or social worker about the laws in your state.


Elizabeth Bozeman, MD


www.RobinhoodIntegrativeHealth.com Elizabeth Bozeman, MD


Dr. Elizabeth Bozeman is a Board Certified Family Physician. She is also board Certified in Preventive, Holistic and Integrative Health. She trained at the Mayo Clinic and has been practicing for 15 years. She has a passion for helping people get better using a more natural and holistic approach. She helps patients with balancing hormones, thyroid function, fatigue and offers prolotherapy for musculoskeletal injuries.


336.768.3335 MAY 2017 27


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