The Balancing Act: How Caregivers Navigate the Stress of Work, Family, and Caring for a Loved One

This article is the sixth in a series of stories about Delaware Caregivers. Special thanks to Delaware Hospice, Easter Seal of Delaware, and Maryland’s Eastern Shor,e and Lynn Paxson of Oasis Senior Care.

With two-thirds of U.S. caregivers struggling to manage both employment and home duties, experts say planning, boundaries, and support can prevent burnout.

For thousands of Delawareans, caring for an aging or ill loved one is among the most meaningful roles they will ever take on — and also one of the most demanding. The constant pull of work obligations, family responsibilities, and the daily needs of someone who depends on you can feel like a relentless juggling act.

According to a recent AARP and S&P Global survey, 67% of family caregivers say they are struggling to manage both work and care, often feeling stretched thin and unsure how to stay ahead of it all. Many caregivers routinely experience stress, guilt, frustration, sadness, and emotional exhaustion, becoming overwhelmed by the daily decisions and responsibilities that caregiving requires.

This article — the sixth in a continuing series on the caregiver’s experience — explores practical strategies for balancing competing pressures while protecting your own well-being. Insights from national research and guidance from Delaware Hospice, Oasis Senior Care (a leading consultant for families), and Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore underscore a central message: you don’t have to do this alone, and thriving — not just surviving — is possible.

At Home: Building a Support System That Works

Caregiving is rarely meant to be a one-person job, even though many caregivers feel forced into that role. Experts recommend stepping back and making a clear-eyed assessment of what your loved one truly needs — and what tasks might be shared.

Seek Support and Share the Load

Delaware Hospice encourages caregivers to begin by listing daily and weekly care needs and identifying which tasks can realistically be delegated. That may mean asking a sibling to handle financial paperwork, a neighbor to assist with transportation, or hiring part-time in-home support.

When family members live far away or cannot provide hands-on care, asking them to share in financial support — such as covering a few hours of respite care — can significantly reduce stress.

When others offer help, be specific. Instead of a general response, try:
“Can you come over Tuesday at noon to help with lunch?”

Clear requests make it easier for others to step in meaningfully.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Health changes, sudden hospital trips, and equipment malfunctions are part of the caregiving reality. Preparing in advance reduces panic when emergencies arise.

Experts recommend:

• Keeping medical, legal, and financial documents up to date

• Creating a list of trusted helpers for home maintenance or repairs

• Maintaining a folder with medications, emergency contacts, and care instructions

When the unexpected happens, preparation allows for calmer decisions and greater peace of mind.

Protect Your Own Health

Caregivers often put themselves last — yet burnout is one of the greatest risks. Even small, scheduled breaks can help reset both body and mind.

Think of self-care as a daily practice, not a luxury:

• A 20-minute walk

• Quiet reading before bed

• Stretching or light exercise

• Time with a pet or favorite hobby

Take time to truly enjoy that cup of coffee or tea — not while multitasking, but simply being present.

Crystal Baynard, of Easter Seals also recommends scheduling time for yourself — daily, weekly, or monthly.  “As a caregiver myself and someone who works for the Easterseals Community Outreach Program, my personal thoughts on caregiving support what you already have written.  Most caregivers fully devote themselves to the role of supporting and providing for their loved one. Having connections of their own by socializing with friends or family, finding the right support group, and not ignoring signs stress or burnout are critical to the journey,” insists Baynard. 

Caregivers are also encouraged to resist the urge to be “perfect.” No one can maintain an immaculate home, a full-time career, a perfectly stocked pantry, and be a caregiver — all at once. It is neither realistic nor necessary.

Equally important: do not compare your situation to others. Every caregiving journey is unique. Guilt over what hasn’t been accomplished only adds unnecessary weight.

At Work: Communicating Clearly and Knowing Your Rights

Balancing employment alongside caregiving is a major source of stress, but open communication and workplace flexibility can make a meaningful difference.

Talk With Your Employer

Experts say transparency can prevent misunderstandings about performance, attendance, or availability. Many workplaces offer options such as:

• Flexible or adjusted hours

• Remote or hybrid schedules

• Extended lunch breaks for caregiving tasks

• Employee Assistance Programs

A conversation with an HR representative may reveal benefits or accommodations you didn’t realize were available.

Inform and Lean on Colleagues

Letting coworkers know about your caregiving role can remove stigma and reduce misperceptions about commitment. It may also open the door to informal support — many colleagues are navigating caregiving responsibilities themselves.

Know Your Legal Protections

If your workplace has 50 or more employees, you may qualify for unpaid, job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Additionally, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects caregivers from discrimination, including being passed over for promotions because of family responsibilities.

Understanding these protections allows caregivers to manage their responsibilities without fear of risking their job or career progress.

Managing Stress: Tools and Techniques for Long-Term Balance

Caregiving stress is not only emotional — it affects physical health, decision-making, and relationships. Chronic stress can lead to serious health issues. Recognizing warning signs and lowering stress early can improve overall well-being.

Time Management and Organization

Digital tools and simple routines can bring structure to chaotic days:

• Use shared calendars such as Google Calendar or Outlook

• Try caregiving apps like CareZone for medication tracking and reminders

• Group similar tasks together to conserve mental energy

Breaking large responsibilities into smaller, achievable steps helps reduce overwhelm.

Mindfulness and Mental Health

Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, journaling, or creative hobbies provide valuable emotional release.
Professional counseling and caregiver support groups — both virtual and in person — offer coping strategies and reassurance that you are not alone.

Caregiver support groups, in particular, help reduce isolation by connecting people facing similar challenges. Many caregivers say others don’t fully understand their experience unless they, too, are caregivers. Local groups meet both in person and online to maximize access.

Stay Connected

Isolation is one of the hidden challenges of caregiving. Maintaining social connections — even brief ones — combats loneliness and restores perspective.

Acknowledge Your Limits

Fatigue, irritability, sadness, or withdrawal are common signs of burnout. Delaying help only worsens these conditions. Caregivers who recognize their limits and reach out early are better equipped to sustain care over the long term.

The Takeaway: You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup

Lynn Paxson of Oasis Senior Advisors of Delaware reminds caregivers that balancing work, family, and caregiving is not about perfection. It’s about creating routines, setting boundaries, asking for help, and recognizing that caregiving will never be one-size-fits-all.

Caregivers who plan ahead, seek support, and prioritize their own health are better able to provide compassionate, consistent care for those they love.

This series will continue to explore issues facing caregivers, including financial planning, navigating difficult emotions, using respite services, and preparing for later stages of care.

If you are a caregiver, remember: you are doing one of the hardest — and most important — jobs there is. And you don’t have to do it alone.
And if you know a caregiver, reach out — and help them understand that support is available.

If you’d like, I can also:

• Tighten this for print space

• Create a sidebar with local Delaware resources

• Develop Part 7 of the series

• Produce a newsletter or social-media version