National Family Caregivers Month

National Family Caregivers Months is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country.

Each November, National Family Caregivers Month focuses on the challenges facing family caregivers. Family caregivers provide a vast array of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily or on an intermittent basis.

While some family caregivers provide 24/7 care for loved ones who require assistance for daily activities, others may provide care on a part-time basis. Family caregiving can extend for a few years or a lifetime.

To honor, support and assist the job of the caregiver, please explore resources from the Caregiver Action Network:

The Business Case for Caregiver Resources

Over 22 million Americans are working family caregivers — that is one out of every five workers. The costs of caregiving to business and industry exceed over $50 billion annually. Costs attributable to working employee caregivers include:

  • Higher employer-related health care costs, estimated to be $13.4 billion per year to U.S. employers:
    • 8% more for caregiving employees overall
    • 11% more for blue-collar caregivers
    • 18% more for male caregivers
  • Expense of recruiting and retraining new employees to replace caregiving employees, estimated to be $6.6 billion.
  • Productivity costs primarily due to:
    • absenteeism ($5.1 billion)
    • shifts from full-time to part-time work ($4.8 billion)
    • workday interruptions ($6.3 billion)

Looking for More Resources?

  • Our Adult and Elder Care Resource page provides information on caregiving, the Care Advantage Program, local and national resources, a helpful Glossary of Terms.

  • Our Caregiver Support and Education page lists Sacramento/Davis area support groups as well as ongoing events and classes.  You will also find a link to get on WorkLife's family caregiver mailing list.