What is the FMLA Act?

Here in the U.S., the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ensures that you can take leave from work for family, medical, and military reasons. FMLA leave is unpaid, but it does allow you to leave work for an extended period without jeopardizing your job. 

Watch the video below to learn more about the FMLA Act and the three cores of eligibility that must be met to use FMLA leave to care for a family member.

How Much Time Can I Take Off Work With FMLA Leave?

You can use FMLA leave to leave work for up to 12 weeks within a 12-month period. These 12 weeks can be taken all at once or intermittently throughout the 12-month period, if you can show that it is medically necessary to take the time off intermittently. You can use FMLA leave intermittently by taking whole days off or by reducing the hours you work weekly.

Related: How Can I Get Help With Finding Long-Term Dementia Care?

Can I Receive Paid FMLA Leave?

The law only requires that employers provide unpaid leave with job security, but employees may choose to to use accrued paid vacation leave or paid sick or family leave for some or all of the FMLA leave period. Some employers may require you to use this accrued time off during your leave period. The FMLA law permits this. When paid leave is used for an FMLA-covered reason, your job is still FMLA-protected.

Related: Do Adult Day Care Centers Accept Dementia Patients?

Can I Use FMLA Leave To Care for Someone With Dementia?

FMLA leave can only be taken for certain reasons:

• For the birth and care of your newborn child (not someone else’s)
• For the placement with you of a child for adoption or foster care
• To take medical leave when you’re unable to work because of a serious health condition
• To care for a close family member with a serious health condition

One of the eligible reasons is caring for a close family member with a serious health condition, so yes, you can use FMLA leave to care for a family member, as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements.

Related: Our Family Just Received the Dementia Diagnosis – Now What?

We Are Here for You

The day may come when your loved one needs specialized, 24-hour care for dementia. Deciding to move someone you care about to memory care can be difficult, but remember – making the best choice for you, your loved one and your family does not mean you’re a failure as a caregiver. 

If you’re in the Round Rock or Austin area and would like to know more about what makes Sundara different from the big corporate memory care facilities, visit us online or call 512-399-5080 to schedule a community tour with an owner.