According to a study published by AARP, approximately 63 million Americans are caregivers, or about one in four adults. Said another way, if you’re not currently a caregiver, it’s very like you know someone who is. On average, caregivers provide 27 hours of care each week to aging parents, partners, or children with special needs. Whether it’s juggling medications, meals, appointments, and emotions, caregivers quietly make life possible for someone else. The economic value of their unpaid labor is estimated to be in the trillions.
Beyond the statistics lies the human impact – the immense emotional, physical, and social toll that often leaves caregivers feeling unseen and fatigued. In fact, last year an analysis of ComPsych data found 20% of people who took a caregiving leave later took a leave for their own medical condition. Among these people, mental health (15%) was the single most common reason for their subsequent medical leave, followed by surgery (11%), pointing to both the mental and physical demands of caregiving.
November is Caregiver Appreciation month, a time to honor these people: family members, friends, and professionals who dedicate their time and energy to caring for others. Caregiving can be deeply meaningful, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be lonely, overwhelming, and draining. Caregiver Appreciation month provides the opportunity to show encouragement and care for the caregivers in our lives. By offering real support, we can help sustain caregivers, so they can continue to provide care not only to others but also themselves.
Read on to find out how to support caregivers as an individual, as an organization, and how ComPsych can help.
How to Best Support Caregivers In Your Life as an Individual
So, what do we do as individuals? How do we care for the caregivers in our life?
There are countless meaningful ways to show up – both big and small. Tangible support such as providing meals, offering to assist with transportation, or facilitating medical appointments helps alleviate some of the burden. This is especially impactful for sandwich generation caregivers – those caring for both children and older family members. Offering to help with childcare or other household tasks can make a tremendous difference. Sometimes, simply offering an ear, checking in, or validating a caregiver’s experience can be significant. Even a brief moment of compassion and empathy can help a caregiver feel reenergized and less alone.
How to Best Support Caregivers In Your Life as an Organization
Support is not just up to individuals; it’s also the responsibility of organizations. Employers play a pivotal role by creating caregiver-friendly workplaces. A workplace culture that acknowledges and supports caregiving responsibilities can prevent employee burnout and improve engagement across the organization. While what’s reasonable will differ at each company based on their industry, size, resources, and employee populations, here are a few examples of how organizations can tangibly empower the caregivers on their team:
- Provide mental health resources such as robust Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), counseling, coaching, and stress management tools
- Offer Work-Life services that provide assistance with logistical challenges including legal, financial, and other topics
- Allow flexible work options, including flex scheduling as well as remote/hybrid work opportunities
- Promote social support in the form of peer or Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Foster a culture rooted in psychological safety, empathy and belonging
- Share referrals to national organizations like the National Council on Aging, Administration for Community Living, or the National Alliance for Caregiving, all of which offer valuable information and support networks
How ComPsych Can Help
At ComPsych, we recognize that caregivers are often the ones who make support possible for others, and they deserve to feel supported too. Through GuidanceResources, employees can access counseling, elder care support, financial and legal resources, and time-saving tools to help manage competing demands. When caregivers receive the help they need, they thrive and everyone benefits – families, workplaces, and the broader community.
This Caregiver Appreciation Month, let’s recognize and support those who do this important work. Their strength, compassion, and quiet persistence reminds us that caring is one of the most powerful expressions of love.
