Addressing the Unseen Crisis: Supporting Working Caregivers is Essential

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time we pause to recognize the more than 63 million Americans who provide essential, unpaid care for an aging parent, spouse or loved one. It is a profound labor of love, but let’s be honest: it is also an unrelenting weight. For the vast majority of these individuals, caregiving is a demanding second job that comes with an immense, often unseen cost—and it’s a burden we cannot ask them to carry alone.

The emotional toll of caregiving is staggering. It involves navigating complex medical decisions, managing medications and living with the constant anxiety of a loved one’s well-being. This stress is acutely felt by the working caregiver, who must somehow balance the demands of the workplace with the critical needs of home. This isn’t just a personal hardship; it is a fundamental stressor impacting our community, our healthcare system and our workforce.

The Unseen Crisis: Caregiving in the Workplace

Think about “Marisol,” a talented data analyst. She is dedicated to her career, but her days are a masterclass in multitasking. She’s up before dawn to check on her mother, who is recovering from a recent surgery, and prepare her meals for the day. Throughout the workday, her focus is fractured—a mid-morning text message from the nurse, a quick call to arrange a last-minute physical therapy appointment and the deep worry about rushing home to handle the evening care routine.

Marisol is not alone. Nationally, 1 in 5 employees are caregivers. They are your committed team members, yet they are fighting a daily battle that erodes their focus and their energy. This dual role creates a crisis in the workplace that affects everyone:

• Financial Impact: Caregiving has been shown to reduce employee productivity by 18.5% and increases the likelihood of employees leaving the workplace. Alarmingly, 39% of working caregivers leave their job entirely to dedicate more time to their loved one.
• Business Costs: This isn’t just a human cost. Employees with caregiving responsibilities cost their employers an estimated 8% more in healthcare costs than non-caregiving employees, adding billions to annual expenses across the country.
• Retention Risk: Seven out of ten working caregivers suffer work-related difficulties, frequently having to rearrange their schedule, decrease their hours or take unpaid leave just to meet their basic responsibilities.

This is a stark reality check. If we want to build loyal, productive and stable teams, we—as employers and community leaders—must proactively support our caregivers. It’s time to move from empathy to action.

Introducing CareAware Journey: A Strategic Solution for Employers

At CICOA, we believe that when employers support caregivers, everyone wins. It’s not just the compassionate choice; it’s the smartest strategic investment you can make in your people.

We are incredibly proud to publicly launch our newest innovation: CareAware Journey.

Built on CICOA’s 50 years of trusted expertise, CareAware Journey is an online platform that equips employers with practical, scalable tools to support their staff who are in a caregiving role. We step in as the expert guide, providing the practical tools and resources your employees need to manage the overwhelming maze of caregiving, reducing their stress and allowing them to bring their best selves back to work.

CareAware Journey offers a suite of support tools, including:

• Educational Content: Practical guidance on everything from managing the emotional and financial aspects of care to coping with specific conditions like dementia.
• Expert Coaching: One-on-one counseling to help employees with care planning, managing stress and navigating complex systems.
• Resource Connections: Direct access to vetted local and national resources for in-home care, financial assistance and support groups.

By providing this support, employers demonstrate powerful, tangible loyalty, which in turn strengthens productivity, dramatically improves talent retention and cultivates a workplace culture built on empathy and stability.

Be the Solution: Book Your CareAware Journey Demo Today

Supporting working caregivers is no longer optional—it is essential for long-term business success and for securing a healthy future for our community. CICOA is ready to be your partner, providing the innovative solution that helps you retain talent and ensures your team members can successfully manage both their careers and their caregiving roles.

We invite business leaders and HR professionals to discover how CareAware Journey can transform your employee benefits offerings and reinforce your commitment to your team.

Take the first step toward building a more supportive and resilient workforce. Book a demo of CareAware Journey today:

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Lisa Schneekloth

As President & CEO of CICOA, Lisa Schneekloth’s vision is shaped by more than 15 years of experience within the organization, from direct client support to establishing robust compliance standards. Driven by a commitment to excellence and innovation, she collaborates with the community to expand CICOA’s impact and ensure individuals have the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest.