From the Research
Students who need to care for a sick parent, such as a mother, should contact their school administration immediately to request accommodation, as most educational institutions have policies for family emergencies that can help them balance their caregiving responsibilities with their academic obligations. The student should explain their situation and provide documentation from a healthcare provider regarding the parent's condition, if required. They should also be specific about the anticipated duration of care needed and maintain communication with instructors throughout the absence. This accommodation is typically granted because educational institutions recognize that family caregiving responsibilities can temporarily impact a student's ability to attend classes and complete coursework, and providing such flexibility helps ensure students can meet family obligations without sacrificing their academic progress. Some key points to consider when requesting accommodation include:
- Contacting the school administration, academic advisor, or dean of students office as soon as possible
- Providing documentation from a healthcare provider, if required
- Being specific about the anticipated duration of care needed
- Maintaining communication with instructors throughout the absence
- Exploring options such as excused absences, deadline extensions, incomplete grades, or a formal leave of absence for longer situations. Although the provided studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 do not directly address the issue of students caring for a sick parent, they highlight the importance of considering the impact of family responsibilities on an individual's well-being and ability to fulfill their obligations. For example, a study on the effects of caring for a sick child 4 found that parental involvement in their child's care can have benefits for both the parent and child, but also noted that it can be challenging and require support from healthcare providers. Similarly, a study on the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of silymarin compared to diazepam and fluoxetine in a mouse model of mild traumatic brain injury 5 found that treatment with these substances can reduce anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, but did not directly address the issue of caregiving. However, these studies suggest that providing support and accommodation for individuals with caregiving responsibilities can have positive outcomes for their well-being and ability to fulfill their obligations.