When our mother was diagnosed with cancer, my brothers and I had to quickly come together to give her the best care possible. Her illness progressed rapidly, and we found ourselves juggling medical appointments, caregiving schedules, and logistical responsibilities. My older brother, Ed, became her primary caregiver at first. He lived close by, had a flexible schedule, and a spare bedroom.
But caregiving—especially for a seriously ill loved one—takes more than just availability. It takes emotional energy, time, and practical support. To help Ed, we connected with Soter Senior Living & Family Advocates in Melbourne, Florida. They were incredible—especially Kim, who helped us coordinate home health services, navigate Medicare, and eventually find an assisted living facility for our mother.
Once I finished treatment for anxiety and could make the 145-mile drive, I began taking turns with Ed—traveling once a month to assist with caregiving. At first, I used my Paid Time Off (PTO) and Caregiver Leave (40 hours per year offered by my employer). But once I used up those benefits, I had to apply for Family Medical Leave. That’s where this blog post comes in.
My goal here is to share what I learned the hard way—a roadmap for caregivers who are navigating leave options during a crisis. I hope this helps someone feel more prepared than I did.
What is the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for specific family or medical reasons—including caring for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition.
✅ Your job and health benefits are protected during this leave.
✅ FMLA applies to employers with 50 or more employees.
✅ To apply, contact your employer’s Human Resources department. You will need medical certification from your loved one’s doctor, which can sometimes be the most difficult part to obtain.
Military Caregiver Leave is also part of FMLA. This provision allows eligible employees to take up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a covered service member recovering from a serious injury or illness.
📍 Visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s website for detailed FMLA information.
Paid Family and Medical Leave: What’s Available by State
While FMLA protects your job, it doesn’t offer paid leave. However, some states do.
✅ States with Mandatory Paid Family Leave
As of now, 13 states and the District of Columbia offer mandatory paid family and medical leave:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
Check with your state’s labor department or benefits portal to learn more about your eligibility.
What About States Without Mandatory Paid Leave?
States like Florida (where I live) don’t require employers to offer paid family leave—but some offer voluntary programs.
Examples of Voluntary Leave Options:
- Paid Family Leave (PFL) through private insurers (offered by some employers).
- Voluntary Leave Transfer Program – Employees can donate unused leave to a coworker.
- Voluntary Leave Bank Program – Employees contribute to a shared leave pool.
- Voluntary Personal Leave Programs – Trade reduced pay for more time off.
📌 Check your employee handbook, HR portal, or speak with your benefits administrator to see what your employer offers.
Exhausted Your Leave? Here Are Other Options
If you’ve used up all your leave—or you don’t qualify—don’t panic. There are still ways to get help:
💼 Flexible or Remote Work
Talk to your supervisor about temporarily switching to part-time, reduced hours, or remote work.
🌱 Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Many employers offer EAPs with services such as:
- Resource referrals
- Care coordination
- Respite care
- Elder care or childcare subsidies
- Free, confidential counseling
Additional Support for Caregivers
If your employer benefits aren’t enough, or your loved one needs more help than you can provide alone, consider these resources:
🧓 Community and Volunteer Organizations
Many local nonprofits and senior resource centers offer:
- Temporary respite care
- Transportation
- Meal assistance
- Help with errands or companionship
🩺 Hiring Help Through Insurance
- Medicaid: May cover in-home caregiving and respite services.
- Medicare: Covers part-time skilled nursing care, durable medical equipment, injections, wound care, and more (with doctor approval). Learn more: Medicare Home Health Coverage
- Long-Term Care Insurance: If your loved one has this, it may cover caregiving expenses, either through agencies or private hires.
Final Thoughts
Caregiving is an act of love—but it’s also a major responsibility that comes with physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Understanding your rights and benefits as a caregiver can make a world of difference—for both you and the person you’re caring for.
If you’re in the middle of a family health crisis, I hope this post gives you some clarity, direction, and comfort.
💡 Stay tuned for my next blog post: I’ll cover how caregivers can get paid, available tax benefits, and financial support options for elderly and disabled individuals.
References
For more tips on caregiving check out:
