Have you considered the impact of family care responsibilities on your employees and, by extension, your business?

As the population ages, a significant portion of your workforce, the ‘Sandwich Generation,’ is juggling work with the unique challenges of caring for elderly loved ones and young children. This unprecedented stress can jeopardize their physical and mental well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction without adequate support.

• As of 2023, the Sandwich Generation is 11 million people and will become the fastest-growing employee segment by 2025. AARP says that 1 in 5 adults are now unpaid family caregivers.

For business leaders like you, supporting aging-in-place non-profits is not just a strategic decision—it’s a moral decision. Helping your employees manage the heavy family responsibilities confirms their value as individuals, not just workers.

Your commitment to their well-being reflects your understanding of corporate responsibility, where the well-being of human beings is as critical as the bottom line. Partnering with these organizations isn’t just about business; it’s about doing what’s right for your people and community.

Supporting Aging-in-Place Organizations— Helping Employees Balance Work and Family Care

Employees who manage the care of aging parents and, in some cases, children often face significant challenges. Employers can play a crucial role by supporting, partnering with, and advocating for aging-in-place organizations like DSCC, which provide essential resources and services to alleviate these pressures.

Here’s how businesses can make a difference by supporting financially, advocating for, and partnering with these organizations.

1. Isolation and Burnout

Challenge: Employees providing care to family members experience isolation and emotional exhaustion due to the demands of both work and family care support responsibilities. They feel alone, misunderstood, and anxious. This leads to burnout, impacting their physical and mental health and productivity.

Solution: As a business leader, you can collaborate with aging-in-place organizations like DSCC that provide mental health resources and community-based support for seniors. Programs offered by these organizations, such as friendly visits, community dining, and educational programming, help reduce feelings of isolation for seniors and their care partners.

2. Safety Concerns for Elderly Loved Ones

Challenge: Worrying about the safety of elderly loved ones at home can distract employees and affect their focus at work. With falls being the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older in the U.S., your employees worry while on the job.

Solution: Aging-in-place organizations offer vital services like home modifications (e.g., grab bars, ramps) and regular check-ins, ensuring seniors are safe in their homes. This support lets employees focus more on their work, knowing their loved ones are protected.

3. Absenteeism and Financial Strain

Challenge: Employees often miss work, reduce working hours, or quit their jobs to care for elderly loved ones, leading to financial strain and career setbacks.

*NOTE—No federal law in the United States guarantees paid family leave for private-sector workers. As of March 2023, only 27% of private-sector workers in the United States had access to paid family leave through their employer. Among the lowest-wage workers, 95% have no access to paid family leave.

Solution: Employers like you can help ensure the widespread availability of aging-in-place services by supporting, advocating for, and partnering with them.

This, in turn, allows your employees to manage their family care responsibilities more effectively, reducing absenteeism and the need to quit their jobs and enabling them to remain productive at work and financially sound.

4. Stress from Long-Distance Family Care

Challenge: Many employees face the added stress of caring for loved ones who live far away. The logistical and emotional strain of managing care from a distance can be overwhelming and negatively impact their work performance.

Solution: You can alleviate this stress for your employees by supporting, partnering with, and advocating for aging-in-place non-profits that offer services to seniors. These organizations provide local care, well-being checks, and other critical services that give employees peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are cared for, even when they can’t be there in person. This lets your employee focus better on their work while their loved ones receive reliable care.

5. Time Management and Work-Life Balance

Challenge: Employees caring for elderly loved ones often struggle with time management and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The demands of elder care, with or without children at home, combined with professional responsibilities, can lead to exhaustion, poor health, depression, and decreased productivity.

Solution: Employers can support their employees by advocating for and partnering with aging-in-place organizations offering respite care and friendly check-ins. These services give caregivers the time to focus on their work while knowing their loved ones are well cared for. Your business can help maintain a healthier work-life balance by reducing the burden on employees and increasing job satisfaction and productivity.

As the challenges of balancing work and home support responsibilities become more prominent, your support for aging-in-place organizations is not only a compassionate choice but a strategic one. By fostering partnerships, advocating for these vital services, and supporting them financially, you empower your employees to manage their dual roles more effectively. This support enhances their well-being and strengthens your organization by ensuring a more focused, engaged, and loyal workforce.

A Final Thought

The growing need for support services for the aging population is undeniable.

By stepping up and supporting, partnering with, and advocating for aging-in-place organizations, you’re employees and their loved ones.

To learn more about how you can get involved, contact your local aging-in-place organization like DSCC today and explore opportunities for partnership, advocacy, and support. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.