Elder care refers to caring for an elderly parent or relative. Demographics indicate that caring for the elderly is becoming as common as the responsibility of parents caring for their young children. With a substantial aging population, workplaces are pressured to accommodate the elder care responsibilities of their employees by providing increased workplace flexibility, days off for elder care, and even specific elder care resources, such as referrals to adult day care and home health. This topic page provides an overview of how elder care impacts employees and the need for elder care benefits and policies in the workplace.
Updated: May 2009