Ellen Minor is frightened that her elderly father who lives with her will fall and she will not be able to have paramedics come and help him up. She is being what her father thinks is ‘too bossy’ but that’s because she cannot take any risks in having him become infected with coronavirus. Amy Carrier also has an aging parent in her home. She has to decide whether or not to bring in outside help. If she doesn’t, then she does not see a realistic way to care for her mother and get her job done. It’s a difficult choice because Amy understands the risks involved, but if she can’t work, then she cannot support her mother.

Veronica Karwoski has been caring for her mother remotely. She has felt a lot of guilt for not being able to bring her mother into her home, but her house is not set up for the extra care her mother would need. They live in the same city, but Veronica still has to exercise caution during the pandemic. Finally, Karen Purze also cares for a parent remotely. Her mother is in a local nursing facility that is not allowing any visitors at this time. Karen desperately wanted to be able to say goodbye to her mother before the lockdown happened and is now trying to navigate this new environment we’re in.

Key Takeaways:

[2:20] We first hear Ellen Minor’s story, who is a teacher.

[5:35] Ellen has been taking care of her father for five years and now she is working from home full-time. How has she been managing everything?

[7:30] Ellen’s biggest fear right now is having him go to the hospital.

[10:15] Her dad thinks she’s too bossy. Ellen is so stern because the consequences right now are just too dire and she doesn’t want to risk anything.

[10:35] Next, we hear about Amy Carrier’s story. She is a foundation director with a long-distance spouse.

[15:00] Amy is worried that the additional support she is getting will expose her mother to the virus.

[16:30] Working daughters are having to make uncomfortable sacrifices between getting the care needed vs. exposing their parents to the virus.

[17:15] This podcast is sponsored by Seniorlink.com.

[18:55] Veronica Karwaski shares her story on how she’s caring for her mother remotely.

[20:30] Veronica feels very guilty that her mother couldn’t come and stay with her. Her apartment is not set up correctly to help her.

[23:15] We hear Karen Purze’s story on how she’s caring for her mother remotely.

[25:35] Karen was upset because the nursing facility was not well equipped with notifying family members.

[29:25] Karen hopes more people will understand what it’s like to be a caregiver because of this pandemic and there will be more support in the future. Isolation is not a new thing for caregivers.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Workingdaughter.com

Seniorlink.com

Harvard Business Review: Balancing Work and Elder Care Through the Coronavirus Crisis

Karen Purze