Founder of The Breathe Spa Offers Healthy Work-Life Balance Solutions for Burned Out Family Caregivers; Encourages Employers to Promote a ‘Care Culture' in the Workplace
IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 28, 2022 / The elderly population across the U.S. continues to increase, posing serious challenges for family caregivers. According to the Center for Disease and Control (CDC), it is expected that by the year 2030, there will be 71 million people aged 65 years and older. And as the number of older Americans grows, so, too, will the need to increase the number of caregivers. Currently, there are 7 potential family caregivers per adult. By 2030, there will be only 4 potential family caregivers per adult.
A recent white paper published by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers recently revealed the complex realities facing millions in the U.S., especially women who make up 61 percent of caregivers. In Invisible Overtime: What Employers Need to Know About Caregivers outlines why so many Americans are being forced to leave the workforce due to a major uptick in burnout, stress and mental and health challenges. Studies also repeatedly find that the majority of working caregivers are employed full time. Statistics vary, but based on the results of four national surveys, family caregivers comprise an estimated 20 percent of the U.S. labor force.
Of these caregivers, an estimated 60 percent work at least 40 hours per week and 25 percent work fewer than 30 hours per week. Additionally, family caregivers provide an average of 23.7 hours of care each week. This number goes up substantially for those whose care recipients live with them (37.4 hours per week), making caregiving the equivalent to a full-time job.
Elizabeth Logue, a licensed physical therapist, advanced yoga practitioner, and CEO of The Breath Spa says working caregivers need sustainable tools to manage the exhaustion, stress and mental toll of being a caregiver. Through her program FUEL, an evidence-based resilience building program, Logue helps caregivers focus on "integrative active relaxation techniques which help to minimize stress and risk of injury brought on by being a caregiver."
"The fact is that many caregivers are in worse health than they were five years ago," Logue says. "As a caregiver myself, I have experienced first-hand the exhaustion and stress of trying to manage both my personal and professional life - and I am not alone. Close to one-third of worker caregivers have voluntarily left a job at some point during their career because of caregiving responsibilities. Yet, by integrating daily self-care as well as support from employers, the mental and physical health of working caregivers can improve for the better."
Logue says companies are just beginning to recognize the growing number of employees who are also acting as caregivers. Most corporate benefit programs, if they exist at all, offer paid time off. But even though Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) provide some relief through counseling, education and assessments, Logue adds they still do not go far enough in "providing tangible tools to manage the ongoing day-to-day work." She says employers would do best to adopt hands-on health programs or care plans to assist working caregivers lower stress such as yoga and breathing exercises. Numerous research studies have shown that yoga helps to reduce stress and improve mood and an overall sense of well-being.
"Employers looking to retain employees who provide caregiving at home would be wise to invest in programs that incorporate evidence-based relaxation techniques and home safety practices to minimize stress, injury and other problems," says. "By doing this, employers provide a company-wide care culture that appreciates and recognizes the position their working caregivers are in. In the end, it's a win-win for everyone."
ABOUT THE BREATH SPA
The Breath Spa was created to support struggling Working Caregivers in creating their unique self-care practice and healthy work-life balance. Through its FUEL program, The Breath Spa also helps organizations and employers create company-wide care cultures so that employees can feel supported facilitating improved recruitment and retention. For more information visit https://thebreathspa.com/ or follow on Instagram or LinkedIn.
CONTACT
Elizabeth Logue
https://thebreathspa.com/
[email protected]
(949) 294-2346
SOURCE: The Breath Spa