Alzheimer’s caregivers
Today’s workforce is filled with employees acting as Alzheimer’s caregivers. Six in 10 caregivers were employed in the past year, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And 57% of employed caregivers had to go in to work late, leave early or take time off due to caregiving demands.
On Wednesday, the Alzheimer’s Association will sponsor a corporate event, “The Impact of Caregiving in the Workplace” to talk about the needs of caregivers, and Alzheimer’s Association resources available to help employees navigate caregiving responsibilities. Because Ohio is aging, corporate human resources staffs are finding that caregiving responsibilities may be one of the top stressors of their workforce.
“We know when you come to work you are coming to work with your husband, your kids, your mom, your dad, whatever is going on in your world,” said Veronica Doucette, SVP/Human Resources Officer for Civista Bank. “The baby boomer generation, they are retiring, but those are our parents and we will become caregivers.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2020 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, Ohio has the sixth largest number of Alzheimer’s caregivers in the nation. In addition, nationwide statistics show:
■ 18% of Alzheimer’s caregivers went from full-time to parttime work
■ 16% took a leave of absence ■ 9% gave up working entirely
“Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely stressful,” said Eric VanVlymen, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter. “Add to that the pressures of work, and you often have an employee who is tired, stressed, overwhelmed and probably not taking good care of themselves.”
The Alzheimer’s Association offers companies employee-education programs. Individual employees or anyone in the public can access free support groups and individualized care consultations for those needing to build a care plan. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 is an instant source of information.
To register for “The Impact of Caregiving in the Workplace” event, email msrose@alz.org. CONTRIBUTED