Eldercare’s Impact on the Workforce: The Hidden Cost of Caregiving

September 06, 2011

Last month, my in-laws came along for a weekend trip to Florida, and it gave me a very small taste of what many caregivers experience on a daily basis.  My father-in-law (Gene), who is in his early 70s, has diabetes, heart problems, and is severely overweight and because of these ailments, he has dietary limitations and needs help getting dressed and putting his shoes on.  To give my mother-in-law a break that weekend, we took her “off-duty” and my husband and I soon came to realize why she has been under so much stress lately.

We like the ability to vacation in a condo, so as the cook, I can make low fat, no salt meals (what I normally make at home), which is what the doctor ordered for Gene.  Not exactly what he had in mind for his vacation menu, and let that be known!  I had to keep him out of the pantry, where he was scavenging for anything salty, sweet, or high calorie.  My husband Dave experienced major role reversal when he had to help his dad put on his pants and sneakers.  Dave also got quite a workout pushing his dad in a wheelchair around the airport, and then having to help him walk up and down the 2 flights of stairs at the condo every time we went out.  Gene was really looking forward to feeling the warm Gulf waters, but once out in the waves, he got knocked down and Dave had to rush over and help him get up.

These tasks were minor compared to what some caregivers go through on a daily basis, while providing eldercare for their parents.  According to a recent post on HRwebcafe.com, 1 in 4 American adults provide care for an aging parent, which can lead to stress, emotional and financial costs, as well as the potential for a career loss for an employee caregiver.  And on the employer side, costs range from productivity losses and absence, to the potential loss of valued employees.

One of the single biggest things an employer can do is to address the issue and to make resources and support available to these caregiving employees.  This can be done through the HR department, through a wellness program, or through an EAP, or even by bringing an outside resource in to offer seminars and support.  A seminar topic on Estate Planning and Taxation can help with the financial issues, or check with the National Family Caregivers Association for free newsletters and educational brochures.  The last thing these stressed workers need to hear is a sales pitch, so make sure any outside resources you bring to your workforce are unbiased and have no products to push.

You can also follow the Employer Best Practices for Workers with Caregiving Responsibilities, issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.