How to Find Time to Care for Elders as a Full-Time Student

Balancing higher education and caring for the elderly is an extremely challenging task. Both of the activities are rewarding; they are also very demanding emotionally and physically.

Students that have to take care of elderly family members have trouble navigating time, resources, and finances. In 2017, the University of Southern Florida conducted a study on this. The results showed higher symptoms of anxiety and depression among caregiving students compared to their peers.

Although it is a stressful experience, there are things that can make it easier. Here are the tips for that.

Create Strict Schedule

It is no secret that time management is the key to navigating responsibilities efficiently. The main factors here are:

• Scheduling;
• Keeping interactive calendar;
• Creating to-do lists;
• Setting priorities;
• Being realistic.

Prioritization is vital because there is only so much one can do in a day. Sometimes students will have to sacrifice some things or delegate tasks to others. Make sure you have all the resources for this available. For example, you have someone that can back you up on the day of an important exam. Or have an academic service bookmarked for the days when you do not have time for an essay.

There will be days when it is impossible to finish the papers in time. Luckily, EssayPro offers students essay writing services at affordable prices and 24/7. It is an experienced and professional academic writing platform that helps students with all types of papers, from essays to case studies. Experts can nail the task in a limited time without compromising on the quality. So even if something changes rapidly in your schedule, you can always place an order at any time.

Another important thing about the schedule is one has to put some time for themselves there. Even if it is a 30-minutes break, it is vital. Managing such a workload is stressful, so do not put the time for rest away.

Research College Help Options

One of the main problems for student caregivers is that full-time higher education is not designed for their needs. And even if you stick to the schedule, it is not a guarantee that some unexpected problem won’t appear.

In any case, talk to the college advisor about the possible help you can receive. It can be free therapy on campus, for example. Or it can be an opportunity to get sick leave for specific days. Also, they might be more aware of the local programs that help the elderly and might take some burden off your shoulders.

Talk to professors you are working with this semester and let them know about the situation. In case of an emergency, let them know that you are not able to come to the class or submit a paper in time due to this reason. In the majority of cases, professors treat such situations with understanding and are willing to make compromises.

Consider Online Education

You do not have to go fully digital with your studies. But many colleges and universities offer an opportunity to take some courses online. The options have significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online education is helpful for several reasons:

• It protects you from getting and transmitting COVID;
• It ensures more flexibility in terms of self-paced studying;
• It allows spending time at home with the elderly without slipping on grades;
• It is usually more affordable.

Of course, for some students, it is not the best option. But if it is an available choice, think about it.

Reach Out to Agencies on Aging

This experience might be isolating. The truth is, you are not alone and do not have to be. There are many governmental, charity, and non-profit organizations that help with caring for the elderly. Some of them are available locally; others can be reached out online.

They can offer access to helping resources and the community. One can start with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Also, AARP offers a wide range of helping resources, like checklists for safety and in-home care.

Another great platform is Resource for Integrated Care. Here one can follow webinars on how to do it properly and coordinate everything.

There are plenty of people ready to help. Some offer scholarships based on this experience, others offer help with students’ CVs, some provide socializing experiences.

Prepare for the Week

To make daily life easier, prepare things that can be done beforehand when you can. For example:

• Prepare food for a week, look into simple recipes for students, and buy groceries for a week too;
• Do laundry and chores on a weekend;
• Think of appointments you have to make this week;
• Prepare some activities for you together, like a walk in a park, watching documentaries, or playing board games;
• Start on the college assignments early;
• Coordinate doctor appointments online, etc.

Also, look into all the technology solutions that can help, from recipe apps to digital monitoring from home when you are in class.

Manage Finances

The financial burden is another crucial factor to keep in mind. The majority of students have to manage college debt. When you add the resources for healthcare, this can be extremely overwhelming.

There are some financial programs that can help, look into what is available and what you can apply to.

Provide the care at home and use most of the insurance. If possible, find the best insurance options for the long term. There is a lot of information on this on the National Institute on Aging website. They also have a great calculator to evaluate the cost of care.

Do not forget to keep up with technology that can help in this. For example, many telehealth options are more affordable than traditional appointments.

Incorporate Self-Care

It is hard to find time for this. But neglecting one’s well being can lead to detrimental results. If you are unable to function, it won’t be possible to take care of others and study efficiently.

Everyone does what works for them, yet there are some basic principles that can help almost anyone in this situation:

• Eat healthily and regularly;
• Stay physically active and exercise when possible;
• Sleep enough hours a day;
• Have some time to relax and unwind;
• Talk to others, join a help group, talk to friends and relatives, or even start a journal. Do not pile the emotions inside;
• Do something that makes you happy regularly – watch a movie, play a game, or go for a walk.

If you feel symptoms of anxiety, depression, or academic burnout consider seeking professional help as soon as possible.

In Summary

Taking care of the elderly and being a full-time college student is a hard combo to pull. It can be draining not only in terms of time but also emotionally. Yet, it is possible to navigate this situation with less stress. Stay organized and coordinated, research help options and programs, apply for financial help. Do not be isolated, keep in touch with friends and family or join the community of people with the same experience.

And, most importantly, do not forget to take care of yourself in all of that. Try to keep a healthy lifestyle and a balanced regime.