Surviving at Work While Caregiving at Home

Ann Rockley talks to Cheryl Landes about coping at work when caring for a spouse with mental illness. One in five people suffer from a mental health condition, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and many of their loved ones in the workforce are caring for them. Usually, these caregivers are thrust into this role without warning and no support, and the endless demands affect their health and job performance. Caregivers struggle with knowing where to turn for help and who to trust. If you’re a caregiver, how can you find a balance where you can remain successful in your career while giving your loved one the appropriate care? In this session, you’ll learn: 1) How to spot the signs you need help as a caregiver 2) How to identify people who will support you and how to approach them 3) How to care for yourself and know when to let go Cheryl Landes is a technical communications consultant who has experienced the challenges of taking care of a husband with an undiagnosed mental illness. In her latest book, The Best I Can Do, she describes her experiences helplessly watching her husband’s decline, which tore their lives apart and forced them into homelessness, and her journey to recovery.