Making the decision to walk away from a job is rarely easy. A 2024 study found that, since the pandemic, there continues to be a “substantial and persistent” exit from the industry. And one main factor: burnout.
Not only is caregiver burnout troublingly pervasive, but it can also take a hugely physical, mental and emotional toll, acknowledges Tim Altenburg, who holds his doctorate in physical therapy and is the director of clinical operations at PT Solutions Physical Therapy.
And while burnout might be the last straw for some care providers, there are a bevy of other signs to look out for that might make it clear it’s time to move on from your current position. If you’ve experienced any one of these red flags as a senior caregiver, leaving may be your only option.
Here, the top six warning signs to look out for, according to experts.
“If the salary does not justify the workload, it is time to move on.”
— Patti Naiser, owner of Senior Home Transitions
1. You are being underpaid
Although you may have entered caregiving initially because of your passion to help those in need, it’s also imperative that you’re being compensated fairly. Pay is often based on location and experience. You can compare what you are being paid to average rates in your city with Care’s Senior Caregiver Pay Rates Calculator.
If you find that you are being underpaid, you’ll do well to negotiate with your employer, says Altenburg. “Ask for an increase in hourly wage or a quarterly bonus structure or reimbursement for gas and mileage to and from work,” he suggests.
Another way to think about it: When you aren’t being paid enough to make ends meet, it may be time to close this chapter, points out Patti Naiser, owner of Senior Home Transitions. “Taking care of older adults is not an easy task,” she acknowledges. “If the salary does not justify the workload, it is time to move on.”
2. You are expected to be available 24/7
It is untenable to be “on call” all hours of the day and night. Naiser recalls one of many times she was being contacted outside of work hours. “I was out to dinner when I received a call from the son of the senior I was looking after,” she notes. “The time was way after work hours, but he still wanted me to come back and look after his father so he could go out with his wife.”
Job expectations, duties and schedules should all be clearly stated in a senior caregiver contract so that it’s harder for an employer to cross that line.
It is imperative to establish boundaries early on, advises Altenburg. “The minute you start your job as a caregiver, it’s important to lay down very concrete rules about the hours you are able to be reached by the senior and their family,” says Altenburg. That way everyone has a clear understanding of the expectations from the very beginning.
Even if you did establish these rules of the road, employers may continue to cross them leading you to experience job creep, which happens when you are asked to perform extra duties outside of your usual role with no additional compensation. Amy Cameron O’Rourke, author of “The Fragile Years,” warns that if boundary-crossing is a consistent issue, it’s time to move along.
3. The workplace environment is not safe and/or clean
If you are providing care for a senior in their home, it is paramount that the living space is safe, tidy and disinfected regularly. Otherwise, Altenburg suggests having a conversation with the senior’s guardian about employing a housekeeper. You can point out that it’s not only important that the senior is able to move about their home without risk of falling or injuring themselves, but the same should hold true for you as their caregiver.
It’s reasonable to give your employer a couple of weeks to remedy this situation. However, if your employer isn’t receptive to your suggestion to hire a housekeeper or the environment continues to be hazardous for much longer, it could be time to look for a new opportunity.
4. You’re unhappy going to work everyday
As in any profession, there will be days that are better than others and challenges along the way. But, O’Rourke says there are specific signs that your mental health is suffering so much that it’s time to walk away. She recommends looking out for:
- Chronic fatigue.
- Feelings of hopelessness.
- Daily outbursts of anger at your own family members, the patient or your co-workers.
Your own mental health is just as important as the senior’s that you are providing care for. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
“Nobody should have to work in an environment of fear, unprofessional behaviors and/or discontent.”
— Tim Altenburg, director of clinical operations, PT Solutions Physical Therapy
5. Your client is acting unprofessional
You have every right to feel safe, secure and respected at your workplace. “If you experience racist or other inappropriate name calling, this is a warning sign to quit immediately,” says O’Rourke. These matters should never be tolerated by an employee.
Sometimes, the inappropriate behavior may be a bit more subtle, where you have a worrying feeling about your employer. In this circumstance, Altenburg suggests trusting your gut. “If the relationship feels off then most likely, it’s off,” he says. “Nobody should have to work in an environment of fear, unprofessional behaviors and/or discontent.”
6. You realize you are underqualified for the position
Circumstances are bound to change when it comes to providing ongoing care for someone. Maybe the level of care has increased beyond your expertise or the job now requires more hours than you can perform. If you recognize that your skill set does not match up with the current job requirements, you may need to find a new position.
Altenburg says, “You have to be honest, and say one of two things: ‘I need to walk away’ or ‘I need more training’ — on- or off-site.’” However, if time and circumstance don’t allow for additional training or education, the proper action is to resign.
The bottom line on quitting a caregiving job
Oftentimes saying “goodbye” is tough. But, if these red flags are waving at you, quitting may be the best option. Altenburg recommends remembering the “why” that led to your pursuit of this professional path in the first place.
“You have the opportunity to really change the trajectory of someone’s life,” he explains. Just because this particular caregiving job did not work out the way you hoped it would doesn’t mean there isn’t another one better suited for you waiting around the corner.
