What Working Caregivers Need Most (According to the Data)

What Working Caregivers Need Most (According to the Data)

Across the country, millions of adults are balancing full- or part-time work while caring for aging parents, spouses, or loved ones. According to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 60% of family caregivers are employed, often during peak earning and career-building years.

As caregiving increasingly intersects with employment, research from AARP, SHRM, Harvard, and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers has helped clarify what working caregivers need most in order to remain healthy, employed, and supported.

1. Reliable Daytime Support and Respite

Consistently, caregivers identify daytime support and respite as one of their greatest unmet needs, particularly for those caring for someone living with dementia or cognitive change.

Reliable daytime care can be the difference between:

• staying in the workforce or leaving a job
• maintaining emotional wellbeing or burning out
• managing family responsibilities or feeling overwhelmed

Community-based supports, including Adult Day Programs, provide structure, supervision, social engagement, and meaningful activities during the day allowing caregivers the time and peace of mind needed to work or rest.

2. Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexibility is repeatedly cited as one of the most effective workplace accommodations for caregivers.

Flexible arrangements may include:

• remote or hybrid work
• adjustable schedules
• reduced hours or job sharing
• temporary leave options

Research from SHRM and Harvard shows that flexibility helps caregivers manage medical appointments, care transitions, and unpredictable needs without sacrificing long-term career stability.

3. Financial Relief and Cost Support

Caregiving carries significant financial impact. AARP estimates that caregivers spend thousands of dollars out of pocket each year, with higher costs associated with dementia care.

Working caregivers frequently cite financial strain related to:

• daytime care or respite
• transportation and supervision
• medications and medical supplies
• home safety modifications

Emerging supports include Dependent Care FSAs, paid family leave, employer-sponsored benefits, long-term care insurance education, and community-based funding programs.

4. Guidance Navigating Complex Care Systems

Caregivers often find themselves navigating a fragmented system that includes healthcare, aging services, dementia care, benefits, and long-term planning.

Access to reliable information, resource navigation, and care coordination helps caregivers make informed decisions and reduces stress – especially during periods of transition or diagnosis.

5. Emotional and Mental Health Support

Caregiving, particularly dementia caregiving,  places a heavy emotional burden on families.

Common experiences include:

• chronic stress
• anticipatory grief
• sleep disruption
• isolation
• anxiety and depression

As a result, emotional wellbeing and mental health support are emerging as critical components of caregiver support strategies within workplaces and communities.

6. Social Connection and Community

Caregivers frequently report feeling isolated as responsibilities increase. Social connection  for both caregivers and care recipients – remains one of the strongest protective factors against burnout.

Community-based programs, support groups, and Adult Day Programs can help reduce isolation while promoting dignity, purpose, and engagement for older adults.

A Broader Understanding of Caregiving

The data points to a clear shift: caregiving is no longer solely a private family matter. It is increasingly recognized as:

• a workforce issue
• a wellbeing issue
• a gender equity issue
• a financial and retirement issue
• a community and public health issue

This evolving understanding is driving new approaches to caregiver support across workplaces, healthcare systems, and communities.

Where Adult Day Programs Fit

Adult Day Programs play an important role in meeting several of these needs at once. By offering structured daytime support, social engagement, cognitive activities, and respite, they help caregivers remain employed while supporting aging in place.

Organizations such as Elder-Well® are part of this evolving landscape, providing community-based Adult Day Programs designed to support both individuals and the families who care for them.

Looking Ahead

As the population continues to age and workforce participation remains essential, supporting working caregivers will be central to the future of care.

The data is clear: when caregivers are supported, families remain stronger, employees remain engaged, and communities are better equipped to meet the realities of aging.

This article is part of Elder-Well’s February blog series exploring the Workplace Caregiver Initiative and the evolving intersection of caregiving and employment.