Shannon says she was bred to be a caregiver.
“I grew up with a medically fragile father,” she told “The Balancing Act.”
Shannon cares for what she calls ‘neurodiverse’ children.
“The kind of straw that broke my back was feeling like I just essentially had my children’s needs just kind of falling on my hands like sand, and I couldn’t stop it,” she said.
“Family caregiving is part of the fabric of life both nationally and globally. At some point in our lives, many of us will become family caregivers, assisting a loved one who needs help as a result of illness, disability, or aging. Caregiving comes in many different forms, involving many different types of assistance and many different definitions of family… it is clear from research that family caregivers need help.”
That excerpt from a recent report, “Invisible Overtime” by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers explains why Homethrive exists: We are here to revolutionize support for unpaid family caregivers and their loved ones.
One in five American workers is doubling as an unpaid family caregiver, and one in three will have to leave their job because the report echoes our belief that the intersection between family caregiving and career is fraught with frustration, complexity, and tough decisions.
So, as an employer, what can you do?
Simply put, RCI says:
“Employers could do more to increase awareness of benefits and how to use them as well as to ensure that the benefits they sponsor include provisions to address care recipient and caregiver needs.”
In part 3 of a special podcast series of “The Balancing Act,” we’re taking a closer look at the report and some key recommendations for employers.
You’ll also hear from Shannon about why she’s thankful for her employer and Homethrive’s support.