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Finding the best at-home care for your loved one can be stressful. Understandably, you want your mom or dad to live independently while still getting the care they need as they age. Yet, when your loved one’s caregiver naps on the job, it may raise some red flags that your loved one isn’t getting the at-home care they need.
Caregivers are generally not allowed to nap while on the job. However, live-in caregivers are permitted time to sleep. Still, there may be other exceptions, and you must consider the type of care given, homecare agency policies, and how you communicate your expectations for the caregiver’s duties.
Elder care is a big responsibility for the family and the caregiver, and it can be tough to navigate these questions when your loved one’s health is in someone else’s hands. This article will help break down what you should consider about caregivers napping on the job to ensure the well-being of your loved one and their caregiver.
Some Caregivers Are Allowed to Sleep While on the Job
Caregivers typically aren’t allowed to nap on the job, but certain factors can complicate an otherwise easy answer. When discussing the role of a caregiver and their typical work shift, this difference depends on the type of caregiver.
For starters, there is a big difference between a caregiver sleeping between shifts and a caregiver napping on the job. Sleep is required for any human to function correctly. Napping, on the other hand, isn’t a necessity while working.
There is also a distinct difference between types of caregivers and their breaks. One kind of care may allow the caregiver to sleep for a specific period. At the same time, another may require staying awake the entire shift, according to official sleeping time laws for senior care.
For example, some caregivers get 8-hour rest breaks between shifts, while others are supposed to work shifts throughout the night without sleep.
Live-In Caregivers Require Sleep
Live-in caregivers stay at their patient’s homes and work on a 24-hour cycle. They can sleep through the night (or for a certain amount of time at some point). Caregivers usually don’t nap (or aren’t supposed to) while caring for their patients during their typical 16-hour workday.
If you want to hire a live-in caregiver, you should create a clean and comfortable space for them. But how? Click on the link to read my complete guide on preparing a home for a live-in caregiver. How to Prepare a Home for a Live-in Caregiver
Overnight Caregivers Don’t Require Sleep
Overnight caregivers, on the other hand, usually work 8-hour shifts during the night. Unlike live-in caregivers, they don’t live in the patient’s home or provide 24-hour care. Even though the work shift is overnight, caregivers must stay awake and actively watch their patients for the duration of the work shift.
Respite care is another form of at-home care for relieving your loved one’s primary caregiver, whether you or a live-in caregiver you’ve hired. Respite caregivers typically work much shorter shifts, so they don’t require a set break to rest unless they work for multiple consecutive days or at least 24 hours.
How Agencies Determine When Caregivers Rest
If you’ve hired your loved one’s caregiver through an agency, always check their policies for any specific guidelines set for the caregiver by the agency. A particular agency may have different rules about caregivers’ resting breaks than another. For instance, a caregiver napping may be a rest break that their agency allows.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice your concerns about specific policies. Contact the agency if you have questions about your loved one’s caregiver napping or taking rest breaks at seemingly inappropriate times.
If you need a caregiver and want to start looking for one through an agency, AARP advises searching for agencies that fit your requirements and asking questions about their policies and protocols for caregivers.
It’s important to think about what you want from a caregiver. Should you or your loved one be bothered by the idea of a caregiver napping while on the job, ask each agency how they handle it.
Also, don’t be afraid to share these concerns with your chosen caregiver. Open communication is the best way to ensure your needs and expectations are met.
How Setting Boundaries About Rest Affects Your Loved One
Communicating with a caregiver can be difficult. You must set boundaries with your loved one’s caregiver while keeping your and your loved one’s comfort and safety in mind. According to Elder Care Specialist Terri Weber, establishing healthy boundaries between caregiver, patient, and family is crucial to your loved one’s health.
With boundaries in mind, ask your caregiver how they are emotionally and physically. They may be exhausted or even sleep-deprived if constant napping while on the job is an issue. According to the New York Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs, your loved one’s caregiver suffering from sleep deprivation could cause danger for your loved one.
Communication is key. Be clear about what your loved one needs while respecting their caregiver’s boundaries.
Caregiver Burnout Is Real
It’s important to be sympathetic toward caregivers. If your loved one’s caregiver is frequently sleeping on the job, the cause may be caregiver burnout, which has gotten worse since 2020. The Cleveland Clinic urges us to combat caregiver burnout by offering respite care to your caregiver if they need some relief.
There are clear-cut signs of caregiver burnout.
- Fatigue
- Sleep Deprivation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Weight Gain & Loss
- Feeling blue or hopeless
Your loved one’s health should be their caregiver’s primary concern, but don’t forget to check in on their caregiver from time to time.
Conclusion
In your loved one’s best interest, a caregiver isn’t allowed to nap while on the job. For most agencies, policy expects caregivers to watch their patients for their entire shift; thus, napping is out of the question.
However, remember that you and your loved one are making the decisions. Communicate with your loved one’s caregiver and tell them precisely what you expect from them and what your loved one expects from them. In the end, it’s up to you to decide if your loved one’s caregiver is allowed to nap on the job.
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