The Crossroads of Career and Caregiving: Is it Time to Leave Your Job?

For millions of employed Americans, the responsibility of caring for an aging, ill or disabled loved one is a reality. You've been attempting to juggle your career duties with caregiving tasks, but it's becoming increasingly unsustainable. Each day presents overwhelming mental, physical and emotional tolls as you risk shortchanging your work or dropping the ball on critical care tasks.

Whether building to a breaking point or thrust into an immediate crisis, you've started contemplating a monumental decision - is it time to leave your job and become a full-time caregiver?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, as every situation is unique depending on your loved one's needs, your finances, availability of paid caregiving assistance, and more. But weighing the tradeoffs, pros and cons is essential before making this life-altering transition.

Signs It May Be Time to Leave Your Job

If you've been grappling with this difficult dilemma, start by evaluating whether any of these conditions apply that could necessitate leaving your career:

• Your loved one's health has declined or their care needs have outpaced your ability to accommodate with a work schedule (even with adjustments)
  
• They require comprehensive, around-the-clock supervision or skilled nursing care you aren't equipped to provide while working  
  
• They've experienced a decline in cognition or decision-making abilities where they cannot be left alone for extended periods  
  
• Their needs for hands-on personal care for bathing, dressing, feeding etc. must happen during times you are committed to work  
  
• Their condition has become medically unstable or unpredictable where they require a dedicated caregiver's presence
  
• Scheduling needed medical appointments or procedures around your work is causing additional health risks  
  
• Attempting to work while caregiving has taken a major mental, physical, or financial toll on your own well-being
  

If you're constantly missing work or putting off critical caregiving duties involuntarily, that's a red flag. Prioritizing your job or your loved one is reaching a breaking point.

Financial Considerations Before Quitting

For most, the ability to abandon a steady income stream will be the biggest hurdle to overcome. Living on a single income (or less) could prove financially devastating if proper plans aren't in place. Here's what to assess:

• Calculate your monthly budget needs
• What income sources remain (your spouse's income, investments/savings, etc.)?
• Eligibility for paid leave from your employer or FMLA
• Qualification for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and/or disability benefits for yourself or your loved one
• Any insurance coverage (prescriptions, long-term care)
• Can you afford paid in-home care occasionally for respite?
• Utilize financial planning resources to run the numbers through your retirement age
• Can money be borrowed from retirement accounts or home equity, at least temporarily?
  

If the math simply doesn't work and quitting would deplete funds entirely, that should give you serious pause. But there are also ways to supplement income like taking on a part-time job, freelancing, renting out property, or borrowing money from life insurance policies. Get creative about bringing in cash flow.

Building a Professional Caregiving Plan

Assuming your finances allow for leaving your current role, careful planning is critical to ensure continuity of care and income:

Give Ample Notice if Possible:

Prepare to provide your employer as much notice as possible to help transition your workload properly. The more appreciation they have for your situation, the better you'll be treated on the way out.

Discuss Remote or Part-Time Options:

If it fits into your caregiving schedule, inquire if your current employer would consider letting you stay on part-time or shift to a remote working arrangement.  

Explore Career Breaks and Pauses:

Ask if your company has any formal or informal programs that allow you to take an extended leave of absence for caregiving purposes, including keeping some benefits intact.

Prepare your Resume:

Update your resume and begin researching new career paths that could accommodate your caregiving schedule like freelancing, remote work, job sharing, etc. Avoid employment gaps if possible.

Ramp Up Your Emergency Fund:

Having a healthy cash reserve of 6 months' living expenses or more can provide a buffer as you get your caregiving plan and finances solidified.

Making Works for Leave of Absence or Unemployment Benefits:

If you must leave your job entirely, learn the procedures to apply for covered leaves or file for short-term unemployment benefits.

Investigate Caregiver Tax Credits:

Look into claiming caregiver tax deductions or credits for adult dependent care as well. Major medical expenses could yield tax benefits too.

Do everything in your power to leave amicably and maintain relationships with managers and colleagues. You may need to return to them one day. And don't completely abandon your professional development - remaining current on industry trends and networking periodically will make any future career re-entry easier.

Building a Caregiving Support System

While becoming a full-time caregiver ensures your loved one receives the utmost attention, you can't allow that level of dedication to come at the expense of your own well-being. Before quitting your job, implement a comprehensive support plan:

• Identify Family/Community Relief: Rally family, friends, community and faith-based organizations to create a rotation for helping with caregiving duties, errands, chores and simply providing you regular respite time. You cannot do this 24/7 alone.  
• Hire Backup Care Support: Research and hire any supplementary in-home care services, adult day programs, or residential facilities to assist in your absence as needed.  
• Set a Partner/Sibling Schedule: If you have a spouse, partner, siblings or other relatives, get on the same page with delineating back-up responsibilities, decision-making processes and the division of labor.
• Join a Caregivers' Support Group: Having a judgment-free space to vent, ask advice and connect with others in similar situations provides an immense emotional lifeline.
• Maintain YOUR Healthcare: Don't let your own medical needs and self-care fall through the cracks. Keep all your doctor's appointments and engage in stress-relieving activities regularly.
• Create a Caregiving Guide: Document all vital information, schedules, financial/legal materials and care protocols about your loved one in an organized guide to reference.
  

Quitting your job doesn't erase all other responsibilities in your life. You must proactively shore up supports to ensure both your loved one and YOU stay on track.

Finding Purpose in Your Choice

Evaluate all the financial, practical and care considerations at hand thoroughly. But don't lose sight of the enormous emotional impact this transition could bring - both positive and negative.

On one hand, guilt and sadness are natural emotions to process when leaving behind a career you've invested so much of your identity and adulthood into. You could face criticism or doubt from others about your choice. A loss of professional accomplishment and pride is understandable.

But when you become a full-time caregiver, you are honoring your loved one with the most profound gift - your time, compassion, energy and undivided presence. In their eyes, no task could be more meaningful than ensuring their wellbeing, safety and quality of life. You get to provide that priceless peace of mind.

Additionally, you give yourself the gift of living out your values by devoting yourself to caring for family in need. Few regret putting their career on hold in service of their loved ones in the face of a health crisis. This is a selfless sacrifice you can take immense pride in.

The decision to become a full-time caregiver is intensely personal. In the midst of financial pressures, career aspirations, external doubts, and the overwhelming stress of your loved one's condition, carve out time to reflect inwardly. Listen to that voice that knows what the right choice is for you and your family in this situation. Your personal values and conscience will guide you from there.