Caregiving ranges from childcare to eldercare, touches individuals from all demographics and levels of seniority, and has increased the economic and emotional toll of the employee and employer.
Caregiver Demographics
There are over 63 million adults in the US who are caregivers. The number of family caregivers in the U.S. increased by 20 million in the last ten years. On average, caregivers are spending 27 hours a week providing care to their loved one, and 70% of working-age caregivers (ages 18 to 64) are employed while providing that care. Creating a caring culture, in the workplace, is no longer an option when running an organization. A caring culture is demonstrated by acknowledging its employees’ care concerns and by investing in adequate and innovative employee supports. This is an investment in the employees and the organization’s bottom line; “an investment that goes beyond dollars to include time and leadership” (Fuller & Raman, 2019).
Inadequate employee supports cost employers. These costs show up in: increased absenteeism, unplanned absences, increased turnover, decreased retention, productivity loss, and increased disability costs. Creating a caring culture in the workplace does not have to be expensive and is not just reserved for large businesses.
Included data from 2025 AARP Caregiving in the U.S. Report
Image Credit to Small business caregiving guide: AARP family caregiving. Small Business Caregiving Guide | AARP Family Caregiving. (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.smallbusinesscaregivingguide.org/the-business-case
According to the AARP Family Caregiver Small Business Caregiving Guide (n.d.):
(Small business caregiving guide: AARP family caregiving. Small Business Caregiving Guide | AARP Family Caregiving. (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.smallbusinesscaregivingguide.org/the-business-case)
Check out these articles on supporting caregivers in the workplace.
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