Can Women Caregivers Still Work?

Caregiving can take over our lives. For those who must also earn an income to meeting monthly living expenses, this can feel more like a ‘forced take over’ if a choice has to be made between work or family.

Did you know this unfortunate dilemma is more prevalent among women?

According to statistics reported in a PBS Next Avenue article, women make up 60 percent of the family caregiver population and that two out of every five adults are family caregivers. That’s roughly tens of millions of Americans. Numbers are showing that most of those women who are also working are finding it necessary to leave the job behind in order to handle their caregiving tasks.

Taking care of an elderly family member, for example has a direct impact upon these income earners, reports an almost two-decade study. Caregiving for a parent, the data suggest, may be forcing women out of the workplace.

In short, it revealed that approximately one-third of boomer women who spend eight to 30 hours per week as caregivers were also working. They are the ones that experience a decline in income.

Imagine, they may be reluctant to advance at work or may not even be given the opportunity because of their caregiving commitments. They may also be stressed out about the loss of earnings and the emotional and physical hardships that can accompany being a family caregiver.

Losses can come in the shape of lost wages or in sacrifices of future pay raises or promotions. In addition they also lose their ability to invest in their own social security and/or retirement plans.

Some employers, however, are taking note of the situation and choosing to be a part of the solution. Paid family leave and work time flexibility are two examples of help that can make a difference.

But is this enough?

We must find ways to address the needs of caregivers for many reasons. Firstly, as life spans have grown, so has the need for elderly care, and, unfortunately, many of our institutions just aren’t equipped to handle the increase.

Secondly, as perhaps most importantly, women (and men) who providing loving care for family members in need should not have to choose between caregiving and having the ability to earn an income.

To read the complete article, click here.

J. Dietrich Stroeh is author of Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing (FolkHeart Press) and three free e-books. For more information, click here.