Balancing Work and Caregiving

Part I of a Two-Part Series

Laura was all packed to attend an important conference when Dad fell again. She had to cancel at the last minute…and since then, a co-worker has been sent to conferences in her place. While Laura is relieved not to have to find backup for Dad's care, she worries that her career advancement is now put on hold.

Jennifer spends most lunch breaks on the phone trying to sort out her parents' finances and medical appointments. Too often she is called out of an important meeting to handle an emergency. And then there are her two active teenagers! She is considering dropping back to part-time work—but can she afford it?

Clark worries about his wife Barbara, who has early stage Alzheimer's disease. While he is at the office, Clark wonders how she is doing at home, and he has trouble concentrating on the tasks at hand. But he is hesitant to discuss his situation with co-workers or his boss. 

If you are one of the 3 million Canadians who are currently caring for an elderly or disabled parent or other loved one, chances are you often feel torn between work duties and the tasks of your caregiver role—transportation, personal care, healthcare appointments, and so many other responsibilities. Many working caregivers report that they…

• Miss opportunities for advancement and promotion
• Cut back to part-time work, or resign entirely
• Pass up travel or training
• Use all vacation, personal and/or sick days to provide care
• Take unpaid leave beyond paid days off.

Adding to the demands on your limited time, you may also be a member of the "sandwich generation"—the one in five Canadians who is simultaneously caring for elderly relatives and children under 18.

You Are Not Alone!

The good news is, policymakers are beginning to pay attention to this growing issue, and to recognize the vital role family caregivers play. According to a recent study by the Canadian Caregiver Coalition, family caregivers contribute over $5 billion in unpaid labor to the nation's health care system. It is increasingly recognized that caregivers need to be supported as a vital part of the nation's eldercare program. You may have heard the growing call for policy changes such as increased tax write-offs for family caregivers; family leave to be used by those caring for an older loved one; pension policies that do not penalize family caregivers who took time off from paid employment; and increased availability of respite care and other caregiver support.

Meanwhile, employers themselves are also taking notice. Times are changing. Gone are the days when the husband could spend as many hours as needed at the office while his stay-at-home wife cared for his elderly parents. Women are now just as likely to have jobs. Families are smaller, so the caregiving workload is spread among fewer family members. Delayed childbearing has resulted in more "sandwich generation” employees. And above all, as the Baby Boomers begin to hit 65 this year, the number of elders needing care continues to skyrocket. Smart businesses know they need to prepare for caregiver needs if they aren’t to be negatively impacted by…

• Lowered productivity
• Increased absenteeism
• Workday disruptions
• The cost of replacement and rehiring when caregiver employees must resign

Many companies are beginning to adapt by enacting policies and providing benefits that respond to the needs of caregivers. They know that the resulting employee loyalty, job satisfaction and increased productivity more than pay for the expense of such programs. Though only a minority of companies currently offer such benefits, the number is growing.

So…if you are currently a working family caregiver, what can you do to help balance your work and caregiving responsibilities? The first step is to make a plan and do your homework. Are you taking advantage of available resources? Are you trying to do it all alone, rather than asking for help? In the next issue of Choices, learn about "Four Questions Working Caregivers Should Ask," and learn how home care can help!    

Learn More About Canada's Working Family Caregivers

The Canadian Caregiver Coalition studies the impact of caregiving on employment, including the April 2009 study "Who Cares and How Much?"

For an in-depth look at the issues of working family caregivers, see "Balancing Paid Work and Caregiving Responsibilities: A Closer Look at Family Caregivers in Canada" on the Canadian Policy Research Networks website.