Making employment decisions
Making employment decisions
Some people diagnosed with dementia or caring for someone living with dementia find it good for their physical and mental health or necessary for their quality of life to work as long as possible. Other people want to leave the workforce to focus on quality of life. Others yet stay in the workforce for a set period of time to support succession planning for their current role and/or give themselves an opportunity to plan their exit. Regardless of your circumstance, it is important to understand the options available to you before you make a decision.
What to consider
If you are diagnosed with dementia, you will want to talk to your doctor to understand whether you have the option to continue working. In some circumstances, your doctor will assess your health and advise you to leave your role or the workforce.
If you do have the option to continue working – either as someone diagnosed with dementia or a care partner to someone living with dementia, you will want to think about:
- Your personal goals and financial obligations, and whether your employment is critical to achieving them.
- The type of programs and services, such as health and wellness benefits and/or retirement and financial planning, available through your workplace, and what will continue to be available to you once you leave the workplace.
- The level of joy and enrichment working provides you.
- The type of relationship that you have with your employer, and how much support you anticipate in the workplace.
- The circumstances where you will need to or will choose to leave your role or the workforce.
- Other types of work opportunities you might pursue that may be a better fit to help you meet your goals.
