The Caregiver"s Balancing Act
We still hear a lot these days about how many Americans are unemployed, because we are still climbing out of a bad economy.
We don't hear as much about the employed Americans who are also involved in another demanding job outside their day job, and that job is caregiving to a parent or other older adult.
The data show us that about two of every five employed people in America have also been engaged in caregiving at some point within the past five years.
And nearly half of these have given care to more than one person in this time.
About one in five workers is currently involved in some level of caregiving.
While it is true that most caregivers are women, among those in the workforce both men and women are equally likely to maintain two jobs.
In fact, looking closely at the figures, 22% of men in the workforce have been caregivers in the past five years, compared with 20% of women.
These figures are all part of a generally upward trend in the rates of caregiving for workers, and there is no sign of it letting up as boomers age.
The only measureable difference between men and women and their caregiving activities is that women tend to be more involved on a regular basis (44%).
Men report caregiving on a more intermittent basis (38%).
The age of workers is increasing, and so, too is the age of caregivers.
The median age of caregivers in the 2008 survey is about 47 years, but in 1997 - just a bit more than a decade before - the median age of a caregiver was 43 years old.
Where do caregivers find the time to devote to an older family member? It is not in reducing their hours at their day jobs.
The average number of hours of workers with caregiving responsibilities are virtually the same as those who are not caregivers, 45 and 44 hours a week, respectively.
And men are reporting more "work-life conflict" than women with the hours spent at both jobs.
An average of 71% report insufficient time for their children.
And 63% report both insufficient time for their spouses and for themselves.
There is a lot of room for improvement, given all these trends toward greater caregiving in the workforce.
If you are an overtime caregiver, consider:
With this many caregivers in the workforce, it is likely that your coworker in the office next door is facing similar challenges.
Opening that line of communication will not only relieve some of your stress; it also may offer fresh ideas on how to manage both your jobs.
Check out the source: National Study of the Changing Workforce.
We don't hear as much about the employed Americans who are also involved in another demanding job outside their day job, and that job is caregiving to a parent or other older adult.
The data show us that about two of every five employed people in America have also been engaged in caregiving at some point within the past five years.
And nearly half of these have given care to more than one person in this time.
About one in five workers is currently involved in some level of caregiving.
While it is true that most caregivers are women, among those in the workforce both men and women are equally likely to maintain two jobs.
In fact, looking closely at the figures, 22% of men in the workforce have been caregivers in the past five years, compared with 20% of women.
These figures are all part of a generally upward trend in the rates of caregiving for workers, and there is no sign of it letting up as boomers age.
The only measureable difference between men and women and their caregiving activities is that women tend to be more involved on a regular basis (44%).
Men report caregiving on a more intermittent basis (38%).
The age of workers is increasing, and so, too is the age of caregivers.
The median age of caregivers in the 2008 survey is about 47 years, but in 1997 - just a bit more than a decade before - the median age of a caregiver was 43 years old.
Where do caregivers find the time to devote to an older family member? It is not in reducing their hours at their day jobs.
The average number of hours of workers with caregiving responsibilities are virtually the same as those who are not caregivers, 45 and 44 hours a week, respectively.
And men are reporting more "work-life conflict" than women with the hours spent at both jobs.
An average of 71% report insufficient time for their children.
And 63% report both insufficient time for their spouses and for themselves.
There is a lot of room for improvement, given all these trends toward greater caregiving in the workforce.
If you are an overtime caregiver, consider:
- Asking your employers for some flexibility in hours to accommodate your family demands
- Seeking what your human resources department can offer by way of employee assistance programs
- Looking for "best practices" from other caregivers by way of support groups, local government services or non-profits.
With this many caregivers in the workforce, it is likely that your coworker in the office next door is facing similar challenges.
Opening that line of communication will not only relieve some of your stress; it also may offer fresh ideas on how to manage both your jobs.
Check out the source: National Study of the Changing Workforce.
