Working Boomers and their Aging Parents
Judi Casey June 9th, 2008
The Sloan Center on Aging and Work/Workplace Flexibility reports [PDF] that “according to projections based on the U.S. Census (2006), an average of 4.6 adults will turn 65 each minute in 2007. In 2025, an average of 8.0 adults will turn 65 each minute.”
It is likely that this growing aging population will require care and attention from employed family members. In fact, a 2006 MetLife study [PDF] found that “nearly 60% of those caring for an adult over the age of 50 are working; the majority of those work full-time.” Caring for an older family member and working can be quite stressful both at work and at home. In fact, the MetLife study also found that “52% of the women and 34% of the men have experienced workday interruptions as a result of caregiving. “
Anecdotal information reveals that employed caregivers often feel that they are unable to meet their work responsibilities, and provide high quality of care to their loved one – a dilemma that can result in shortchanging one of their commitments.
I recently learned of a resource that might be helpful. Created by the MIT Workplace Center, Caring for Your Parents is a web-based handbook that can be used by caregivers and the agencies that support them throughout the US. It includes most of the content from the previously published Massachusetts handbook, but also has some new material and listings for national resource organizations.
Please let us know about other resources that can help employed caregivers to manage both their work and family responsibilities.
