Family caregivers are under great strain. This is how employers can provide support.
The situation of family caregivers has improved noticeably in recent years. Nevertheless, employees with caring responsibilities are still under considerable strain. Tips for employers on how they can support employees with caring responsibilities.
The reforms to long-term care insurance, particularly the Care Strengthening Act III, have noticeably improved the situation for family caregivers. Employers are also increasingly committed to bringing the issue of reconciling care and work out of the taboo zone. They are sensitizing their teams and developing creative solutions to create better conditions for affected employees with double and multiple responsibilities. Some companies bundle their activities in networks so that their employees can devote themselves to family care tasks.
This development is very welcome and is evidence of a general rethink in the world of work. Nevertheless, according to the Care Report 2020 by the Scientific Institute of the AOK (WIdO), those affected continue to feel that caring for others is a heavy burden in terms of time and mental strain. It is striking that the average household contribution is only 250 euros. So money does not seem to be the problem. Most family caregivers would like their individual needs to be given greater consideration. As the report also makes clear, the commitment of family members to each other is very unevenly distributed and outpatient services can hardly cover the need for caregiver time. It would therefore be helpful to have more respite services provided by people who take on care work in specific cases by being there to help with household management, care and personal hygiene.
A lot has happened in recent years. Employers are on the right track with their considerations and measures. Flexible and individual solutions for family caregivers in the professional world will continue to be of great importance and will become more urgent. In addition, donations of time by volunteers from the workforce would be an important first step.
The "company care guides", who are being trained in more and more companies, have also proved their worth. They are available to their colleagues as a first point of contact and offer support. They know what first steps those affected need to take and provide information about local support and specialist agencies.
The pme Familienservice trains employees of companies to become company care guides at various locations. For individual offers in your area, please contact your nearest pme location.