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One in Four “Daughters in the Workplace” Experience Stigma Due to Caregiving

8-09-2017

Richmond, British Columbia – June 21, 2017 – A new survey[i] by Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care^® network, found that half of working female caregivers feel they have to choose between being a good employee and being a good daughter. In addition, a quarter (25%) of working daughters report a workplace stigma associated with being a caregiver for an aging parent, and 23 percent have found that their supervisor is unsympathetic.

In an effort to start a conversation about how working family caregivers can be better supported in the workplace, the Home Instead Senior Care network has launched a new public education program, Daughters in the Workplace^SM. The new program offers free resources to help working family caregivers feel empowered to talk to their employers about their needs, while also identifying caregiving support that may be available. The program also provides information to help employers understand what their employees want and need as caregivers, including Caregiver Friendly Business Practices.

“All too often we see working caregivers feel that they have to make a choice between work and their aging loved one,” said Jeremiah Cristall, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Richmond, Surrey and North Delta. “They are often unaware of what resources are available and how to navigate those conversations with their employer. That’s why Home Instead is committed to not only empowering family caregivers with the knowledge of the help that is available to them, but also bringing awareness to employers on the importance of creating a supportive workplace environment for caregiving employees.”

Statistics Canada research shows that women are almost twice as likely as their male counterparts to spend 20 or more hours per week on caregiving tasks. Further, women are twice as likely as men to provide personal care to senior loved ones such as bathing and dressing. What’s more, many women are part of the sandwich generation, caring for an aging parent or relative while also caring for their own children.

Nora Spinks, CEO at The Vanier Institute of the Family in Ottawa, explains that a significant issue facing many working family caregivers is that employers often do not realize the strain caring for a senior loved one can place on their employees. In fact, according to Home Instead’s survey, 91percent of female caregivers report having had to take action to accommodate being an employee and a caregiver. The most common actions include: taking paid time off, switching from full time to part time, avoiding certain responsibilities and turning down promotions. All of the hours spent caregiving – combined with the sacrifices made in the workplace – can leave daughters in the workplace with undue strain and stress in their lives.

“Caring for a senior loved one touches almost every aspect of a caregiver’s life, including their work. When employers have a greater understanding of their employee’s caregiving responsibilities, commitments and obligations, they are better equipped to provide the appropriate workplace supports so employees can effectively manage family and work,” said Spinks.

To help educate working family caregivers on how to work with their employers to address some of the challenges they face, DaughtersintheWorkplace.ca includes conversation starters and health tips for caregiving employees, as well as communication tips for employers and signs caregiving employees need support. Additionally, the website includes an interactive quiz in which caregivers can equip themselves with the knowledge of the protected family leave rights that may be available to them.

“The hope is that by highlighting the struggles that family caregivers experience, and providing them with solutions and tips they can implement in their home and work lives, we can help ensure they are happy and healthy in their work lives while also being able to provide their loved ones with the care they need,” explains Cristall.

While women make up two-thirds of family caregivers, the solutions to addressing caregiving challenges in the workplace are gender-neutral. Family caregivers and employers can view program resources and tips at www.DaughtersintheWorkplace.ca. Or, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office for additional resources and to learn how their professional CAREGivers^SM may be able to assist. Find an office near you by visiting www.homeinstead.ca/3042/.

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ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

The Home Instead Senior Care network provides personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises that are estimated to annually provide more than 50 million hours of care throughout Canada and over10 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 65,000 CAREGivers worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network strives to partner with each client and his or her family members to help meet that individual’s needs. Services span the care continuum from providing companionship and personal care to specialized Alzheimer’s care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. At Home Instead Senior Care, it’s relationship before task, while striving to provide superior quality service.

Family caregivers’ tips to help achieve better balance and health (compiled from Respect a Caregivers Time and the Home Instead Senior Care network):

1.     Be realistic. Take time to understand how much you can do to take care of a loved one, do well at your job and stay healthy.

2.     Honesty is the best policy. Be honest with yourself and your employer about what you need. Create a plan that contains ways you can complete your work and still meet your loved one’s needs.

3.     Think Creatively. Think outside the box to offer solutions that work for you, your employer and others facing their own caregiving challenges.

4.     Get plenty of rest. Think about ways you can enhance the quality of your sleep. This will help you feel empowered and handle life’s daily challenges.

5.     Take one day at a time. Face the challenges of the day, but try not to look too far ahead. Caring for an older adult is unpredictable and requires a measured approach.

6.     Arrange for help including respite care. Sometimes a little help goes a long way. Check with your employer about any back-up emergency care services your company might offer through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Some do. Think about ways others could help you. If you have family nearby, they may be able to help. Even if you don’t, a long-distance caregiver could assist with certain tasks, such as finances and scheduling. Check with your local Alzheimer’s Society (www.alzheimer.ca) for community resources, or contact your local Home Instead Senior Care® office (www.HomeInstead.ca) to learn how professional caregiving could help you.

7.     Educate your employer. Your employer may not understand the kinds of issues you are facing. Do what you can to explain your challenges.

8.     Look for ways to give back. If your employer offers flexibility and help, think about ways to pay it forward with your manager and co-workers. If you are able to do something extra, step up to the plate!

9.     Be organized. Honing your organizational skills could go a long way toward staying on top of your work and easing your anxiety. Find a free online calendar at https://www.thebalance.com/free-online-calendars-1357935.

10.  Find support. Find out what assistance your employer may offer through your company’s EAP (Employer Assistance Program). Join a support group in your area. Contact your local Alzheimer’s Society to learn what’s available in your area that could help. Maybe groups are not your thing. There are still ways you can expand your network. Look to your faith community or friends for emotional support. Connecting with others going through the same circumstances could be meaningful. Make time for coffee or a movie, or join friends in an exercise class at your local YMCA.

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Article Source: ALAMEENPOST.COM