As a translator, my work involves recreating the fine written lines of my clients. These lines could be a marketing text with a mix of colourful descriptions and snappy writing. However, I also translate and edit academic documents where theses and journal papers have detailed survey analysis, literature reviews and discussions. Balancing this variety of work makes my job both challenging and fun. A few years ago, a new challenge emerged when I became the carer of a close relative.
A Balancing Act
[Rock Balancing (Counter Balance) – Wikimedia Commons]
Freelance work is both unpredictable and flexible. In some ways, this is the ideal preparation for taking on an extra role, especially a remote one. With clients and colleagues often in other countries and, most certainly, in a different office, communication needs to be clear and any collaborative work requires regular updates and, if possible, an online chat.
So, there are parallels with helping a relative in another town. Coordination is important for help with shopping, appointments and form-filling. Sometimes, there are emergency situations, such as an accident or sudden illness. Then, more time is required. Unlike remote working, my presence is very important for practical and emotional support. There is a stark difference between this situation and a jammed printer or other work-related problem.
All the Fun of the Circus?
[Circus Tent – Wikimedia Commons]
Where self-employment requires good client relations, attention to detail and completed tax returns, being a carer requires coordination with health care providers, social workers, banks and public service staff, to name a few. You need to take care of the medical and financial activities for another person – preferably with LPAs in place (https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney). Whilst the translation profession has representative bodies offering training opportunities, such as the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (https://www.iti.org.uk/) and the Chartered Institute of Linguists (https://www.ciol.org.uk/), the world of caring initially seems very daunting. One of my relative’s nurses gave me a leaflet so that I could register as a carer. This does offer some benefits, including an excellent first aid course I took recently.
You might think that you are ‘just helping’, but NHS England defines a carer as follows:
A carer is anyone, including children and adults, who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.
(https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/comm-carers/carers/)
When my relative was diagnosed with a form of dementia, this helped to explain some mental and physical problems she was experiencing. It was also the start of a journey of medication, counselling and activities to help. I wonder, if diagnosed earlier, progression of such a devastating disease could have been slower. There are good days when everything seems to be OK. Then, there are days of confusion, forgetting how to carry out routine tasks, not remembering accidents, friends, relatives or where she lives. Music brings joy and familiarity when everything else is fading away. Besides the NHS, other helpful resources in the UK include Age UK (https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/helping-a-loved-one/) and the Alzheimer’s Society (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/).
The Audience Awaits…
Working remotely, you cannot, in reality, be distant. Your clients need you to be available and, often, flexible for them. Being a carer is very much the same in these aspects. Plan what you can, but be prepared for the unexpected. As with any workload, take on what you can manage with some room to spare. Then, you can be both a reliable colleague and helpful relative. Take a break too to maintain your own equilibrium. Above all, appreciate the happy moments and successes in your work and your caring role.