The everyday life of the family caregiver is full of stress, and stress can lead to unhealthy habits and poorer mental and physical health. Remember You is about urging the caregivers of a family to prioritize their health.
Being the family’s caregiver is not easy. You have wear many hats and are expected to handle many things – time management, scheduling, housework, meals, taxi services, laundry, groceries, attending/caring for you children, caring for an elderly parent, applying band-aids to your husband’s finger that he cut while slicing potatoes…the list goes on and on. Now throw in a full or part-time job plus a couple of pets and you become the ringleader of managing chaos for everything that surrounds you.
When was the last time you had an annual physical? Health screenings? The flu vaccine? Sat down, in peace, at a local coffee shop and enjoyed a moment of calm while sipping on some warm brew?
Prioritize your health and well-being today. Remember You!
What is a caregiver?
A caregiver is someone who provided assistance to a loved one, family member – including one’s children, neighbor, etc. The assistance can be making meals, administrating medication, transportation to and from places, running errands, being a patient advocate, making doctor appointments, physical caring for one’s needs, overseeing bill payments, and so-on.
Caregivers are typically women – they make up seventy-five percent of caregivers. According to a recent Forbes article, caregivers make up seventy-three percent of the workforce. So not only is the family’s caregiver handling all the stressors at home, they are also trying to manage stress at work.
How employers can help
Educate your caregivers. One of way of doing this is by providing an employee assistance program and/or resource website with links to daycare assistance, home health aides, community assistance programs, etc.
Create a caregiver-friendly atmosphere. Start by conducting focus groups to get input from caregiving employees on what is needed. Offer flexible working options like hybrid or remote options. Discover if a 40-hour/4-day work week is possible, allowing an extra day for employees to handle the demands of home life. Lastly, as an employer, understand and advocate for the utilization of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Employers who support caregiving employees see an increase in productivity and a decrease in employee burnout.