Suppose there is one positive after-effect of the pandemic. In that case, it is the caregiver support and appreciation generated as more and more people begin to realize the difficulties family caregivers have long been facing. Managing work and home life is a tremendous challenge for people caring for a senior family member. But, as Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO of Wellthy, explains, “Caregiving went from a silent struggle to being in the spotlight overnight.”
Employers were abruptly thrown into the fire of directing a world of balancing staff safety and the necessity to maintain productivity. Here’s what we discovered – and what we can expect for the future:
More telecommuting. Those who began working at home in the last year have, in many cases, demonstrated their capability to be much more productive. Due to this fact, it’s forecast that as many as 25 – 30% of the workforce within the U.S. will continue telecommuting at least several days each week this year.
Lower stress. Doing away with the daily commute opens up more time for self-care for family caregivers while boosting peace of mind. This is especially true for those who depended on public transportation and were concerned about compromised health safety. Many employers provide subscriptions to meditation and mindfulness applications to further boost mental wellness.
A corporate culture of caring. Working from home has opened up the private parts of our lives to employers. Zoom meetings share our living spaces, including the appearance of children, pets, and other family members. This means that the workplace has become more humanized, resulting in a more empathetic working environment.
Focus on mental wellness. There is now greater awareness of the importance of caring for our mental health along those lines. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll revealed that nearly 45 percent of adults experienced adverse mental wellness effects due to the pandemic – and an even more significant percentage in people who serve as family caregivers for older senior loved ones. Many employers have started implementing strategies to take care of the mental health of their employees, such as offering virtual adventures and trips to provide the chance to escape and relax.
Let Modern Health Home Care, the leading home health care provider in Philadelphia and nearby communities, further help foster a healthier work-life balance with our trusted respite care services. Regular, ongoing respite care is key to the general wellness of family caregivers. Our skilled and compassionate care assistance team is available to help with anything from just a couple of hours each week to around-the-clock care. Contact us at 215.995.2012 to ask about a free in-home assessment to learn more about our caregiver support services.
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