Caregiving on its own can sometimes be overwhelming and stressful. Family caregivers who are still working may find that they have trouble balancing work, caregiving, and other responsibilities. This is normal and you are not alone. In fact, a recent report found that 6 out of every 10 caregivers are working in addition to their caregiving responsibilities. However, the good news is that there are many things you can do to help balance your many responsibilities.
Education is a lifelong journey. Whether you’re a senior citizen looking to start or finish a degree, learn new skills for your career, or keep your mind active, there’s likely a free online degree program or course that can help you achieve your goals.
This list includes some of the best free online college degrees for senior citizens, and information about how taking college courses can benefit older adults. Blanca Villagomez, a program coordinator, and counselor at UC-Irvine, also offers her insight into what senior citizens should know about online degrees and courses and how seniors can choose the program that’s right for them.
Wisconsin has an estimated 580,000 family caregivers. Sixty-three percent of those caregivers report they have difficulties in balancing caregiving and work. Nationally, caregiving costs employers an estimated $25 billion each year in lost productivity. However, with support, caregivers can manage both their caregiving and their work. Becoming a dementia-friendly employer can help attract quality candidates, reduce turnover costs, and improve productivity.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program or SCSEP is “the nation’s oldest program to help low-income, unemployed individuals aged 55+ find employment.” The program focuses on matching older adults with proper training and job opportunities, often leading to permanent employment. This guide provides tips for reentering the workforce and what seniors need to know about SCSEP.
Caregiving can range from what some might call helping out -- assisting a relative or friend with shopping, picking up medications, scheduling doctors’ appointments, or providing transportation — to fundamental activities that support daily life such as helping with bathing, dressing, and eating.
It’s safe to say that the number of employees acting as family caregivers will only grow. In the U.S., people are living longer, and as life expectancy grows, so too does the incidence of chronic illness and disability.
Employers have a unique opportunity to support employees in managing the continuum of their care-related obligations in a way that can also reap rewards in the form of an engaged and productive workforce, a competitive edge in retaining and recruiting employees, a reduction in healthcare costs, and an increase in employee loyalty.
Addressing caregiving responsibilities while in the workplace will likely affect most — if not all — workers at some point. It is estimated there are 53 million people providing informal, often unpaid care to loved ones in the United States. Without proper support, these workers must juggle significant familial and professional responsibilities that can either hinder their ability to work or completely remove them from the workforce. The loss of income connected to family caregiving amounts to an estimated $522 billion each year.
Are you a parent looking for a chance to train for a new career? WisconsinWorks can help you prepare for and succeed in a career that supports your family.
