Balancing a Job and Caregiving in Pennsylvania
Balancing a Job and Caregiving in Pennsylvania
Short answer: Balancing a job and caring for a parent in Pennsylvania requires knowing your legal rights and care options. You can use unpaid FMLA leave, hire daytime help, or get paid as a family caregiver through the state Medicaid waiver.
- Eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected FMLA leave.
- Adult day health care in Pennsylvania costs a median of $117 per day.
- Non-medical home care agencies can provide daytime supervision and personal care while you work.
- The CHC waiver allows some relatives to get paid for caregiving, though spouses and POAs are excluded.
- Recognizing caregiver stress early helps you protect your own health and wellbeing.
Your Leave Rights Under FMLA
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period. You can use this time to care for a parent or spouse who has a serious health condition. The law also covers leave for your own condition, birth or adoption, and military exigencies. While on leave, your group health coverage continues.
Not every worker qualifies. According to the US Department of Labor, your eligibility depends on your employer’s size and your work history.
| FMLA Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Who is covered | Private employers with 50+ employees (in 20+ workweeks), public agencies, and schools. |
| Employee eligibility | Must have worked 12 months for the employer, logged 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months, at a worksite with 50+ employees within 75 miles. |
| Duration | Up to 12 workweeks in a 12-month period. |
| Paid or unpaid? | Unpaid. Ask your employer about using accrued paid leave. |
Ask Your Employer About Paid Leave and Flexibility
Because FMLA leave is unpaid, ask your human resources department about paid leave policies. You might be able to use sick days, vacation time, or paid time off (PTO) to cover your caregiving hours. Check your employee handbook to see exactly what benefits your company offers.
Some employers also allow flexible schedules or remote work. Discussing your situation early helps you plan around your loved one’s medical appointments and daily care routines. Flexible hours can make it easier to handle morning or evening personal care tasks before you log in for work.
Need someone to care for your loved one while you work? Call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or contact us online. Choose “I am a client” and “I need services” on our form.
Cover the Work Hours: Home Care, Adult Day, and Respite
When you are at work, you have options to keep your loved one safe. Adult day health care centers offer daytime supervision, meals, and social activities. The 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey reports a Pennsylvania median cost of $117 per day for adult day health care.
If your loved one prefers to stay home, you can hire a non-medical caregiver. The Pennsylvania median for in-home care is $34 per hour. A professional aide can provide companionship, which includes socialization and help with instrumental activities of daily living. They can also assist with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, and transferring in and out of a chair. Read more about the costs of home care.
You can also schedule respite care. This short-term relief allows you to take a break, handle work emergencies, or travel for business knowing someone is there to help.
Getting Paid for Caregiving Instead
If balancing both roles becomes too difficult, you might consider reducing your hours to care for your family member. In Pennsylvania, you can get paid to care for a loved one through the Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver.
Family members can be paid caregivers under the CHC waiver. However, the waiver will not pay for services provided by the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney (POA). To qualify, your loved one must be 21 or older, financially eligible for Medicaid, and functionally eligible.
The application process starts by calling the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227. Later, an assessor from the local Area Agency on Aging—such as the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA)—will visit to determine functional eligibility. If approved, you can work through a licensed agency like New Century Home Care or use the Services My Way participant-directed option.
Financial Help Through the PA Caregiver Support Program
If you continue working but face high out-of-pocket costs for supplies or respite care, the PA Caregiver Support Program may help. Delivered by local Area Agencies on Aging, this program offers education, planning help, and reimbursement for approved caregiving expenses.
The maximum monthly reimbursement is up to $600, based on your reimbursement percentage. This provides reimbursement for supplies and services, not wages. You can apply through your local Area Agency on Aging. In Philadelphia, call PCA at 215-765-9040.
Look After Yourself
Juggling employment and caregiving often leads to stress. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, signs of caregiver stress include denial, anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. If you experience these regularly, talk to your doctor.
Protect your health by taking breaks, eating well, and sharing duties with a care-team calendar. You can also join a support group or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. Learn more about preventing caregiver burnout and finding local caregiver support.
If you recently left your job to care for a relative and want to get paid, New Century Home Care can help. Call 215-974-0000 or fill out our contact form. Choose “I am a caregiver” and then “I already have a client.”
Frequently asked questions
What is caregiver burnout?
Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. The Alzheimer’s Association lists signs like anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness. If you experience these regularly, talk to your doctor and consider taking breaks or using respite care.
What are some online support groups for caregivers of elderly parents?
The Penn Memory Center runs virtual caregiver support groups for dementia caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association also offers free local support groups by phone, video, or in person. You can call their 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 to find a group that fits your schedule.
How can I be a better caregiver while working full-time?
Plan ahead and share duties using a care-team calendar. Utilize adult day health care or hire a non-medical caregiver to cover your work hours. Take breaks, eat well, and rest so you have the energy to support your loved one safely.
What are the common symptoms of a carer breakdown?
Common symptoms of caregiver stress include severe exhaustion, irritability, lack of concentration, and new health problems. You may also feel anxious or depressed. If you notice these signs, contact a healthcare professional immediately and look into respite care options for relief.
Get paid through Medicaid CHC as a New Century caregiver. Weekly pay, $350 signing bonus, free health insurance plan available. Call 215-974-0000.
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