The number of family caregivers who provide support for parents and aging relatives continues to grow in Connecticut. As the baby boomer generation ages the need for elder care will increase and is expected to exceed available resources by 50% within the next decade. Many families are now faced with caring for their elderly parents/relatives while also caring for their dependent children. Employees who provide care to aging parents will likely need time off from work. These employees are providing a wonderful service to the aging and should not be penalized due to a lack of paid time off.
Key Facts:
- In 2013 alone, 459,000 family caregivers in Connecticut with varying needs provided unpaid care to their loved ones. Caregivers regularly make difficult decisions that often lead to lost wages and missed career growth.
- Paid leave helps employees care for loved ones with disabilities and boosts economic security in the process, since family members of people with disabilities are more likely to face barriers to employment due to their caretaker responsibilities.
- Nearly 70% of caregivers report having to make work accommodations while they are providing care and a total of 27% of adult caregivers reported debt or a need to borrow money to cover missed wages.
