For many employees who are parents or caring for a sick or elderly loved one, finding a way to provide support while focusing on work can be a challenge. Even before the coronavirus hit the U.S. employees were struggling with this issue, which has only been exacerbated by the current crisis.
The number of Americans providing unpaid care has increased to 53 million in 2020, from 43.5 million in 2015, according to a study from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Family caregivers often forgo their own healthcare needs as they make their loved one the top priority. Indeed, 21% of caregivers report that their own health is poor and 23% say caregiving has made their own health worse. A further 45% have had at least one major impact to their finances as a result of their responsibilities.
