Recognizing the Labor of Older Adults and Caregivers
Updated: 5 days ago
Labor Day may have passed a few days ago, but it's always worth recognizing the contributions of older adults and caregivers to the workforce.
Labor for both groups is complex. It's full of challenges, but also strengths.
Working Caregivers
About 70% of family caregivers hold down a job on top of their caregiving duties.
Many are navigating the day-to-day demands of a care recipient's specific health condition, which can add another layer of complexity to an already full plate.
Sandwich caregivers can face an even greater balancing act. They're raising kids while simultaneously looking after an aging parent, splitting their time and energy between two generations at once.
Working caregivers can face real challenges in the workplace, including cutting back their hours, giving up work entirely, turning down promotions, or ending their careers altogether.
It's crucial for caregivers to feel comfortable telling their workplace about their caregiving role, but that isn't always the case.
Roughly half of caregivers who work for someone else say their supervisor doesn't even know they're a caregiver. That lack of openness may reflect concerns about being passed over for opportunities, viewed differently by colleagues, or penalized for responsibilities outside of work.
Employers have an opportunity to help change that. There is a strong business case for supporting caregivers, including greater productivity, stronger employee retention, and increased workforce loyalty.
There are many resources available to help organizations create workplaces where caregivers feel supported and can better balance work and caregiving.
Here are a few worth exploring:
Caregiver-Ready Workplaces https://www.caregiveraction.org/caregiver-ready-workplaces/
Working While Caring https://rosalynncarter.org/working-while-caring/
Supporting Caregivers in the Workforce: A Practical Guide for Employers https://employerportal.aarp.org/resource/supporting-caregivers-in-the-workforce-a-practical-guide-for-employers/
Older Adult Workers
The U.S. Census Bureau has documented a steady rise in the number of workers ages 55 and older over the past two decades.
Older adults bring a great deal to the workplace, including experience, wisdom, and emotional intelligence.
Years of experience can help workers approach challenging situations with perspective rather than reacting impulsively.
They can draw on what they've learned to navigate conflict, collaborate with colleagues, and find thoughtful solutions to problems.
Their experience also makes them valuable mentors, allowing them to share knowledge and perspective with colleagues at different stages of their careers.
Some older adults choose to work past retirement age because they want to stay active, remain engaged, and continue interacting with others.
JoCleta Wilson, for example, was recognized as Home Depot's oldest employee.
She chose to continue working because she wanted to interact with people and wanted to stay active.
For others, continuing to work or returning to work is a financial necessity.
Around 7% have recently "un-retired" and returned to the workforce. The leading reason is they need the additional income.
Finding Support
This Labor Day, and every day, let's recognize the many forms that work can take and make sure the people doing that work have the support they need.
Supporting caregivers and older adults means recognizing the value they bring and creating the resources, flexibility, and opportunities that allow them to thrive.
When we do that, we build a workforce and a community that better supports people at every stage of life.
This article was made by Elder Love USA.
As the only nonprofit agency in California offering home care services, we are dedicated to providing compassionate affordable in-home care.
All caregivers undergo thorough background checks and training with certification.
Our rates are lower than other providers thanks to partnerships, donations, grants, and revenue from our cleaning program.
Our caregivers can assist with personal care, shopping, cooking, transportation, housekeeping, and case management.
We proudly serve Riverside County, CA, San Diego County, CA, San Bernardino County, CA, Orange County, CA, Imperial County, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.
If you’d like to learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one, contact us today.
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