Employer's Costs of Working Family Caregivers

In today's business environment the U.S. Department of Labor published an amazing study - 30% of employees are family caregivers to elder loved ones or aging parents. The study goes on to report that by 2010 that number will rise to 54%! Why? Because 5 million boomers will be 65 and that's when most of us will fall prey to caring for our elder loved ones. Let's not forget the employees age 45 to 55 who are now working family caregivers. How do I know this? My caregiving days for my aging parents began at age 50 and many colleagues I work with today are in the mid 40's.

These colleagues fall in the sandwich generation meaning they care for their own children in addition to family elders. This group is in a hard place and they leave a visible mark by arriving late, taking a long lunch hour, and/or leaving work early. They carry responsibilities of managing their children's social life and sport events, the dentist and doctor's appointments, shopping for the family's needs, meeting with teachers, and simply caring for children. There's nothing simple about that; right mom and dad?

You're exhausted! But you better not be if you have an aging parent in your family! They have demands too. Their demands are close to those of your child's but from my experience as a family caregiver, they are much bigger, harder and more stressful. One big difference that screams out is caring for a child can be very rewarding watching them grow into young adults and developing skills as they move forward. Watching elders grow old is not so rewarding. It can be painful observing those who once guided us become totally dependent for their care. Children develop and elders become feeble and needy.

When my mom was diagnosed with CHF years ago, I researched the Internet on heart related issues, topics, and cures. I'd call her doctor to discuss treatments, prescriptions, and her diet. My research continued to healthy recipes, social services available to us from the U.S. and state agencies, and looked into moving her closer to where I lived since hundreds of miles lay between us.