July 1, 2010

Employee Benefit News

Caught in the Middle:  Employees Continue to Struggle With Caregiving

Many baby boomers are known as the “sandwich generation” because they are simultaneously caring for both their children and their aging parents. On top of their full-time jobs, these 44-to 55-year-olds also lead a stressful home life, which can negatively affect their work.

Indeed, in a joint survey by The Hartford and ComPsych, nearly half of respondents are increasingly worried about how caregiving is affecting their job, making it caregivers’ No. 1 concern.

Many employers already know of the increased elder caregiving responsibilities, and are helping caregivers find balance. These companies are contracting with their EAP/work-life program to provide enhanced senior care services, providing consultation for family members and arranging in-home assessments for elder relatives.