The Weight of Caregiving (And Why It Matters at Work)

I was fortunate enough to attend a mindfulness in nature retreat and have been meaning to reflect on the power of being outside, slowing down, and reconnecting with the joy, wonder, and wisdom of nature.

But that reflection keeps getting interrupted by the very real demands of caregiving. Even with strong support at home, it’s a reminder of how constant—and consuming—this role can feel.  And I know that I'm not alone. In fact, 1 in 5 full-time workers are caregivers, many balancing both children and aging parents. 

Caregiving often comes with chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, social isolation and things less talked about: the feeling of always being “on”, the mental load, co-parenting, and the quiet trade-offs we make with our own health, time, and energy. In fact, many caregivers neglect their own health, often citing limited time to schedule appointments. And nearly 2 in 5 caregivers are managing two or more chronic conditions themselves.

And for working parents, there’s another layer: over half report missing work at least once a month due to their child’s mental health needs. 

It can feel like a personal challenge in the moment. But it’s not. It’s a workforce reality. When caregivers are stretched thin, it shows up in focus, performance, and burnout. But when they’re supported, everything changes—for employees, families, and organizations.

Supporting caregivers isn’t a nice-to-have benefit. It’s a workforce health imperative.
Support can look like:
·      Flexible schedules and realistic workload expectations
·      Mental health resources that extend to dependents
·      A culture where caregiving is acknowledged—not hidden

Because when we invest in caregivers, we’re not just helping them—we’re supporting the next generation, too.

I’m also reminding myself of a few things that help…
·      Short breaks can be powerful resets (especially outside)
·      Asking for help—and leaning on others—matters more than we think 
·      Our health has to be part of family life, not separate from it
·      Taking in the good prevents burnout
·      Prioritizing repair and self-compassion is critical

If you’re navigating caregiving right now: What’s one thing that’s helping you stay grounded?

I wanted to share a few recent insight articles from my colleagues on how to better support employees and express gratitude for the work my organization is leading to support employee well-being and to advance both adult and youth mental well-being—through prevention, early intervention, and a broader focus on the crucial drivers of health like sleep, nutrition, physical activity, social connection, and addressing unmet social needs.

https://business.kaiserpermanente.org/california/healthy-employees/health-equity/supporting-caregivers-workplace

https://business.kaiserpermanente.org/healthy-employees/mental-health/parental-stress

https://business.kaiserpermanente.org/healthy-employees/mental-health/proactive-stress-management