Eldercare and employed caregivers: a public/private responsibility?
The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP, 2004) have reported that 21% of the U.S. population provides family caregiving services to someone over 18 years old. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of these caregivers provide care for someone aged 50 or older. The majority of caregivers work full or part-time, and nearly two-thirds of employed caregivers make work-related adjustments in order to provide care (NAC & AARP, 2004). This article examines eldercare issues of employed caregivers, identifies current public and private policies addressing caregiver needs, presents a process model to assist organizations in creating family-friendly workplaces, and suggests social work roles that support family caregiving.
Koerin
Beverly B
BB
School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1001 West Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23284-2027, USA.
Harrigan
Marcia P
MP
Secret
Mary
M
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005791:Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D017149:Private Sector; D011640:Public Policy; D017150:Public Sector; D012941:Social Responsibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data