November is National Family Caregivers Month, according to BLR. The source recommends employers take the time to focus on family caregiver issues and support employees who are caregivers.
The aging population and current economic environment may increase the pressure on some workers to be responsible for care at home, which can be a significant source of stress. The source notes middle-aged Americans may find themselves looking after both their children and their parents simultaneously, especially as parents defer having children until a later age.
At the same time, longer lifespans can add to the strain on the finances of the elderly, since savings must last longer. Taken together, these factors can easily result in stress that interferes with employee well-being and productivity over time.
In particular, frustration can mount due to the disparity between family members desire for assistance and need for it. As a result, awareness and assistance in the form of providing guidance on family responsibilities may help employees remain healthier, happier and more productive.
While caregiving is an important responsibility and work should not be neglected, the source notes employers may wish to remind workers to take care of themselves as well. Focus on family members can easily result in personal neglect.
