I came across an article about how eldercare issues affect productivity. It states that 23.9 million employees are providing care for a loved one while working at a paying job. What’s more, a Caregivers in the Workplace study by the University of California at Hastings reported that, “Nearly one in four workers provides eldercare, and half expect do so in the next five years. These numbers will only become more extreme not only as the population ages, but as the workforce ages, given that workers over the age of 55 are those most likely to provide care.”
Another website states:
“Nearly 60% of those caring for an adult over the age of 50 are working; the majority of those work full-time” (MetLife Mature Market Institute & National Alliance for Caregiving, 2006, p. 5).
“About 33% of the large employers nationwide have an eldercare program to serve employees with eldercare responsibilities” (MetLife Mature Market Institute & National Alliance for Caregiving, 2006, p. 18).
“52% of the women (2,187,282) and 34% of the men (953,431) have experienced workday interruptions as a result of caregiving” (MetLife Mature Market Institute & National Alliance for Caregiving, 2006, p. 14).
“Small and large employers are equally likely (81%) to allow employees time off to provide elder care without jeopardizing their jobs” (Bond, Galinsky, Kim, & Brownfield, 2005, p. 17).
I know from my own experience caring for my parents, it certainly affects your productivity. Because I was in the long term care business, I was fortunate to work for someone who understood the challenges associated with taking care of elderly parents. I had the advantage of moving my dad to Argent Court when my mom had hip replacement surgery. I don’t know what I would have done if I had had to take care of him on my own with no support. It was a short stay and he did well. It gave me such peace of mind knowing I had the option of having him stay there and also my employer understood the challenges I was facing having to care for him.
Argent Court has respite rooms available in our communities if you have the need to place someone for a short period of time. Sometimes the residents find out first hand, assisted living is just the option they need and it certainly helps the caregiver with their own productivity at work. If you have any questions or if we can help navigate through some eldercare issues, give us a call. We’re always willing to help.
