April 8, 2021 by Dean Bellefeuille

Mothering working and eating at the dining table.

If there is one positive after-effect associated with the pandemic, it’s the attention generated for the plight of family caregivers. Balancing work and home life is without question an incredible challenge for anyone caring for aging parents. As Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO of Wellthy, explains, “Caregiving went from a silent struggle to being in the spotlight overnight.”

Businesses were abruptly tossed into the fire of directing a world of balancing the safety of staff with the need to uphold productivity. Here’s what we discovered – and what we can expect for the future:

  • More telecommuting. Individuals who began working at home over the past year have, in most cases, proven their ability to be much more productive. As a result, it is forecast that up to 25 – 30% of the workforce within the U.S. will continue telecommuting at least a few days per week this year.
  • Less stress. Doing away with the daily commute opens up additional time for self-care for family caregivers, while boosting peace of mind. This is particularly true for those who relied on public transportation and were concerned about compromised health safety. To further boost mental health, many employers are offering subscriptions to meditation and mindfulness applications.
  • A corporate culture of caring. Working from home has opened up the personal elements of our lives to employers. Zoom meetings share our living spaces with each other, including the appearance of children, pets, and other loved ones. Because of this, the workplace is becoming more humanized, bringing about a far more empathetic working environment.
  • Focus on mental wellness. Along those lines, there is also now increased awareness of the importance of taking care of our mental health. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll reported that up to 45 percent of adults experienced negative mental health affects due to the pandemic – and an even higher percentage in those who serve as family caregivers for older senior loved ones. Many employers are now implementing ways to take care of the mental health of their employees, such as offering virtual adventures and trips to present the opportunity to escape and relax.

Let At Home Independent Living further help promote a healthier work-life balance with our trusted respite care services. Regular, ongoing respite care is vital to the all-around wellness of family caregivers. Our compassionate and skilled experts in home care and independent living are on hand to help with anything from just a few hours of care every week up to and including around-the clock care. Reach out to us at (315) 579-HOME (4663) to request a no-cost in-home consultation to learn more. Visit our Service Area page to see all of the locations we serve throughout New York.