Study Looks at the Sacrifices Made by Caregivers Who Work

A new study gauges the sacrifices that primary family caregivers make in trying to balance work with their caregiving responsibilities. Nearly one-third -- 32 percent -- of all those who are the primary caregiver for an elderly person are in the labor force, according to the data profile, Caregiving and Paid Work, just published by the Center on an Aging Society. Among the primary caregivers who are of working-age, more than half -- 58 percent -- are employed and most of them are working full time. The study quantifies some of the tradeoffs involved in what often amounts to working two jobs. Researchers found that among those who have ever worked while providing care, 39 percent rearranged their work schedule. Others have worked fewer hours in order to provide care or have taken time off without pay. Among caregivers who are not currently working, 17 percent reported that they stopped working to provide care to the care recipient. The study also found that 16 percent of working caregivers have not told their employer about their caregiving responsibilities and that nearly half --44 percent -- of working caregivers have had a conflict between their job and caregiving responsibilities. The study is the fourth Data Profile in the series Family Caregivers of Older Persons.

To read the results of the study, click on:
http://ihcrp.georgetown.edu/agingsociety/pubhtml/caregiver4/caregiver4.html

Disclaimer — This web site is intended, but not promised or guaranteed, to be correct, complete or up-to-date. It is not intended to be a source of legal advice; thus the reader should seek out specific advice, based on the reader's age, assets, state of health, etc. from competent counsel. Ettinger Law Firm does not intend links on this web site to be referrals or endorsements of the linked entities.