Tag Archives for Caregiver

New report re-examines workplace policies and caregiving

Published in RINewsToday on June 10, 2024

As a newly released AARP and S&P Global report notes, working while being a caregiver is complicated.  While the researchers say that since the previously issued report in 2020, US employers have stepped up to the plate to offer access to caregiving benefits.  However, much more must be done. 

Since the 2020 AARP and S&P Global’s last report, employers have become attuned to the needs of working parents over the past decade and especially during the pandemic, and are now moving from awareness to action in providing support for employees with adult caregiving responsibilities.

Taking a look at caregiver employees

The report’s authors say this study “explores the workplace experiences of caregivers and how they use employer provided benefits and policies to remain successful at work while providing care at home. It reveals not only the challenges of balancing work and caregiving, but also how the right workplace policies can ease the burdens.”

According to the new analysis conducted last December by AARP and S&P Global, the unpredictable nature of caregiving for an adult is one of the biggest stressors the caregiver employee faces.  Sixty seven percent of family caregivers have a very difficult time balancing work with their caregiver responsibilities.  

Half of the working caregiver respondents reported having to make work scheduling changes, (including going in early, leaving late, or just taking time off because of caregiving responsibilities), the findings indicated.

The findings indicate that workers are even reducing hours at work.  Twenty seven percent of working caregivers have shifted from full-time to part-time work or have even reduced hours, while 16% have turned down a promotion.

Meanwhile the findings indicated that 16% have stopped working entirely for a period of time — and 13% have changed employers — in order to meet their caregiving responsibilities.

With the nation’s number of adults ages 65-plus projected to surpass the population of children by 2030, the report warns that US employers must continue to offer policies and benefits that are friendly and supportive of adult caregivers to keep them in the workforce.

In order to get a handle on the needs of working caregivers and understand the importance of employer benefits for balancing work and family care obligations, in 2023 AARP and S&P Global surveyed 1,200 self-identified caregivers who worked full-time or part-time at large US companies (employing more than 1,000 employees) and who provide at least six hours of care each week to an adult.

It’s complicated – being a working caregiver 

There were other key highlights from the Working while caregiving: It’s complicated report.  

Eighty percent of the survey caregiver respondents believe that companies were more understanding of childcare issues – rather than adult caregiving responsibilities.  The researchers say that this is particularly the case among caregivers who have an under-18 child at home and they have recent experience of both caregiving situations. Those caregivers without children reported less satisfaction with company support than caregivers with children (69% versus 89%, respectively).

For those working remotely, the survey’s findings indicate that they were more likely to feel penalized or discriminated against at work because of caregiving responsibilities when compared to in-office or hybrid workers (49% versus a combined average of 29%). The researchers say that this might reflect employer challenges in assessing and engaging with remote employees’ work-life needs.

Finally, the study found that among working caregivers providing more than 21 hours of care a week, 37% say they are experiencing significantly increased difficulty due to inflation. And for those providing fewer than 10 hours of care, 25% say inflation has made providing care significantly more difficult.

According to AARP, previous AARP research shows that of the nearly 48 million family caregivers in the US, 61% are juggling both work and caregiving responsibilities, including assistance with daily living activities, medical or nursing tasks, coordinating services and supports, transportation, shopping, and serving as an advocate for their care recipient. Most family caregivers provide at least 20 hours of care each week, equal to an unpaid part-time job.

The new report’s findings found that access to a flexible work schedule at the time of caregiving increased from 32% in 2020 to 45% in 2023. Additionally, the availability of caregiving policies or benefits increased in every category except unpaid leave. 

“As the backbone of America’s long-term care system, providing $600 billion every year in unpaid labor, family caregivers need and deserve greater support from their own employers,” said Susan Reinhard, Senior Vice President and Director of AARP Public Policy Institute, in a May 16th statement announcing the release of the 21 page report’s findings.  “As our population ages, it’s critical that employers support family caregivers in the workforce with the policies, such as paid leave, that can ease their everyday burdens,” she said.

“Despite the progress observed since 2020, the latest data shows the majority of employees with adult caregiving responsibilities continue to face barriers at balancing work and caregiving obligations and need greater support from employers through enhanced benefits and policies to stay engaged in the workforce,” noted Alexandra Dimitrijevic, Co-chair of S&P Global Research Council. “Employers can help by paying forward-looking attention to employee needs and the demographics shift of the workforce in the coming years,” she added.

Best Practices to support working caregivers

The report’s authors say that employers can do more to support working caregivers and detail best practices that companies can take to support their employees. 

They call on companies to consider offering and support flexible schedules and flexible work locations either hybrid/remote. Employer-supported access to support groups, career coaching and financial advising resources could be offered.  Paid leave specifically for caregivers and/or flexible leave can be used to help with caregiving duties, they suggest.

Yes, information is power.  Companies could host free sessions to highlight how caregiving employees can optimize employer benefits and policies, as a way to address the lack of awareness in using benefits.  Senior leaders could be asked to share their stories as to how they have used the company’s caregiver-supportive benefits and policies, signaling to both people managers and their teams that they are encouraged to use them.

The report’s authors urge companies to train people managers on caregiver-inclusive managerial practices and ensure that they are aware of caregiver-supportive benefits and policies. They must make it clear that it is safe to use them all without incurring career risk.

Finally, companies can start or support an Employee Resource Group (ERG) for parents and caregivers or create a caregiving initiative across all ERGs. 

To view the full 2024 report:

https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/featured/special-editorial/working-while-caregiving.

To view the 2020 report:

Click to access somethingsgottagive_spgiaarp.pdf

For details on caregiving: 

Click to access full-report-caregiving-in-the-united-states.doi.10.26419-2Fppi.00103.001.pdf

AARP Rhode Island pushes its 2024 legislative agenda

Published in RINewsToday on February 12, 2024

Standing in front of an AARP backdrop in the Rhode Island State Room at the State House, last week AARP Rhode Island hosted a 34 plus minute press conference plugging the “aging” group’s 2024 legislative agenda. The nonprofit organization, representing 125,000 members, unveiled its four priority issues: to increase temporary care giver insurance to caregivers, to boost the availability of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs); to create a program to allow employees to save for retirement; and to eliminate the state’s income tax on Social Security. 

Gov. Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 13, Warwick), Senate Majority Leader Ryan W. Pearson (D-Dist. 19, Cumberland, Lincoln), State Treasurer James Diossa, came to support AARPs efforts advocacy efforts, backing its four priority legislative issues. 

“AARP’s mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age,” said State Director Catherine Taylor, in her opening remarks.  At the event, she called on lawmakers to pass AARP Rhode Island’s legislative agenda. 

Taylor took this opportunity to share the results of the 2023 AARP Rhode Island Vital Voices survey that reveals that Rhode Island residents age 45+ overwhelmingly would choose to remain in their own communities and own homes as they grow older. “In order for this to be a reality, Rhode Islanders must have financial security in retirement, affordable and accessible housing options, and access to resources that enable them to take care of those they love,” she said. 

Let us take a look at AARP Rhode Island’s legislative priorities for this year.

Boosting the State’s Housing Production 

With the strong support of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 13, Warwick), one of nine Democratic cosponsors of H. 7062, it is expected that House leadership will send the approved committee bill to the floor this week for a vote. The legislative proposal would boost the state’s housing production by allowing a homeowner to develop Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their property.

ADUs, sometimes referred to as in-law apartments or granny flats, backyard cottages, or secondary units, allow seniors to downsize enabling them to live independently and age in place in their communities. The bill was written in collaboration with AARP Rhode Island, and is one of the aging group’s primary legislative policy goals. 

H. 7062, introduced by Rep. June S. Speakman (D -Dist. 68, Bristol/Warren), chairwoman of the House Commission on Housing Affordability, would boost the state’s housing production by making it easier for homeowners to develop ADUs on their property. It would give the property owner the right to develop an ADU within the existing footprint of their structures or on any lot larger than 20,000 square feet, provided that the design complies with local building code, size limits and infrastructure requirements. 

Sen. Victoria Gu (D-District 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) will shortly submit a Senate ADU companion proposal but has yet to drop it into the legislative hopper. One Senator noted that there will be technical differences between the House and Senate ADU proposals which will have to be ironed out. 

Assisting employees to save for retirement – Secure Choice

Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich), throws H 7121, The Rhode Island Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program, into the legislative hopper. The bill would establish a convenient, low-cost voluntary retirement savings plan for working Rhode Islanders.

According to AARP Rhode Island, about 40 percent of Rhode Island private sector workers, about 172,000, ages 18 to 64 in 2020 were employed by businesses that do not offer any type of retirement plan.

The retirement savings program, administered by the office of the General Treasurer, would see retirement savings accumulated in individual accounts for the exclusive benefit of the participants or their beneficiaries. The bill would see no fiscal impact on the state’s budget.

H 7121 has been referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration. A companion measure (S 2045) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence).

Under Shanley’s legislative proposal, the General Treasurer, who serves as the custodian of state funds for the Rhode Island government, would be charged with collecting contributions through payroll deductions and investing these funds in accordance with accounting best practices for retirement saving vehicles. The elected official would also be responsible for setting minimum and maximum contribution levels in accordance with contribution limits set for IRAs by the Internal Revenue Code. The law would become effective for ALL eligible employers within 3 months of the opening of the program enrollment following a phased implementation period. 

Caring for Caregivers

Senate Majority Whip Valarie Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) and Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls) have introduced identical bills in their chambers that would expand Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program from six weeks to 12. It also increases weekly dependent’s allowances from $10 to $ 20 or 7% increase of benefit rate whichever is greater. That would bring the Ocean State in line with other states and allow new parents more time for parental leave and caregivers more time to care for a critically ill family member.

S 2121 and its House companion measure, H 7171, would also expand the definition of critically ill family to include grandchildren, siblings and “care  recipients,” defined as individuals for whom the employee is a primary caregiver.

According to AARP Rhode Island, the state’s unpaid family caregiver labor force totals 121,000, providing 113 million care hours per year.

The United States is one of only six countries in the world, and the only wealthy country, without guaranteed parental leave, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. In recent years some states, like Rhode Island, have stepped up to offer their own programs.

According to a statement released announcing the introduction of S 2121, Rhode Island became the third state in the nation to offer paid parental leave in 2013 when legislators created the TCI program. TCI, which is paid for through payroll deductions, allows new parents to take six weeks of paid leave to bond with and care for their child. It also allows individuals to take this time to care for a seriously family member. That can prove vital for a working adult who needs to care for their spouse after a surgery or a terminally ill parent.

Since 2013, however, many other states have surpassed Rhode Island’s leave offerings. Currently, 11 states and the District of Columbia offer paid parental leave, with two additional states set to offer it beginning in 2026. Most offer 12 weeks, while Rhode Island offers the least amount of time at just six weeks, says the statement.

Finally, it was noted that individuals on TCI in Rhode Island receive 60% of their normal salary. Of the ten states that offer similar programs, most workers receive at least 80%. In Massachusetts, workers receive 80% of their salary for 12 weeks. Workers in nearby Connecticut receive 95% of their salary for 12 weeks.

Cutting Taxes 

According to AARP Rhode Island, more than one in five Rhode Island residents, that’s 230,018, receive Social Security benefits.  These payments inject more than $ 4 billion into the state’s economy every year.

But Rhode Island is one of 9 states that tax Social Security beneficiaries, says AARP Rhode Island. The state tax on Social Security undermines the purpose of the retirement program, charges the state’s largest aging group, estimating that this program has lifted 50,000 Rhode Islanders 65 or older out of poverty from 2018 through 2020.

Three Senate bills and one House bill have been introduced so far.   

S 2061, introduced by Deputy Minority Whip Sen. Elaine J. Morgan (R-Dist. 34, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich), identical to a bill introduced last year, aside from the effective date would allow a modification to federal adjusted gross income for all Social Security income for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Sen. Mark P. McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) has introduced S 2158 and House Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) just submitted H 7588. These identical bills would gradually phase in modifications to the federal adjusted gross income over a four-year period for Social Security income, from 25% up to 100%, beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

And, Sen. Walter S. Felag, Jr. (D-Dist. 30, Bristol Tiverton Warren) legislation, S 2058, would increase the federal adjusted gross income threshold for modification for taxable social security income. This act would also amend references to the federal adjusted gross income as it pertains to modification of taxable retirement income from certain pension plans or annuities.

To watch AARP RI’s legislation reception, held Feb. 8, 2024l, go to https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/214?site=1.

For obtain the results of the 2023 AARP Rhode Island Vital Voices survey, go to:

https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/life/info-2022/aarp-vital-voices-surveys-older-adults-2022-2024.html – and scroll down to “Rhode Island”

The Village helps grandparent/kinship caregivers in need

Published in RINewsToday on September 18, 2023

When we dream about our retirement years, these dreams most likely don’t include images of diapers, children’s tantrums, and school buses. However, for some grandparents and other kinship caregivers, their later years include these images, as they become primary caregivers for their grandchildren/kin children.

Nationally, more than 2.5 million children are being raised in kinship families which includes grandparents, other extended family members, or anyone with an existing relationship with the child or family. When these children cannot be with their parents, the next best thing is being placed with kin.

There are many benefits to staying with kin rather than being placed into the state’s foster care system. These can include experiencing less trauma; increased stability, higher rates of permanency; better behavioral and mental health outcomes; more feelings of belonging and being accepted, increased likelihood of living with or staying connected to their siblings, and a greater sense of cultural identity and connections to family.  

Additionally, kinship caregivers save the U.S economy approximately $ 6 billion dollars per year by keeping children out of formal foster care. Across the nation, there is a growing recognition of the importance and value of kinship caregivers. However, all of this comes at a physical, mental and financial cost to the kinship

The challenges of being a kinship caregiver

A new research study, Caregiver Profile: A Closer Look at Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren, by the National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Family Support (NCFS) at the University of Pittsburg, grandparent caregivers are experiencing a litany of adverse effects causing them to become a particularly vulnerable group. Grandparents are facing a higher rate of disability, lower employment, and a greater likelihood of poverty, says the study’s findings. One quarter of grandparents raising grandchildren live below the poverty line.

“Many challenges exist for grandparent and kin caregivers of children when it comes to navigating the legal and custody landscape while supporting their own needs, from physical and mental health to financial and employment security. We think this data [detailed in the 16 page report released in Sept. 2023] showcases the need to move forward on the recommendations developed by the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (SGRG) and the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Act Family, Caregiving Advisory Council that can help to support grandparent and kin caregivers,” said Meredith Hughes, JD, MPH, Senior Policy Analyst at University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute and Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health.”

 It is important to provide supportive services for grandparents raising grandchildren as many of these caregivers lack the necessary resources to fully support the children in their care. Support in areas such as kinship navigator programs that provide a single-entry point for learning about housing, health services, and financial and legal assistance, along with improved household resources and access to mental health services are needed. Rhode Island has a kinship navigator program for families involved with the department, but currently one does not exist for those who are not involved.  For every family involved with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families, (DCYF), there are 5 who are not.

Grandparenting in the Ocean State

cording to the U.S. Census bureau, over 13,968 children are living with and being raised by their grandparents in Rhode Island, who make up the largest percentage of relative caregivers. Some kin families are involved with the child welfare system when children have to be removed from their home on an emergency basis. Rhode Island is one of the leading states in the nation in finding and placing children with kin. The state’s long-held philosophy is that children do better by living with kin. Of all the children in the state’s foster care system, around 70% are placed with kin.

For families involved with the DCYF, (known as “formal” kin caregivers) while it can be a distressing experience, they do gain access to needed resources and services, as well as receive monthly stipends and other supports to care for the children. For families who have private arrangements and are not involved with DCYF (“informal” caregivers), finding those resources and services can be challenging. Many if not most of kinship families are not involved with the child welfare system and have no idea that there are any resources. Finding and supporting those families has become one mission of the Cranston-based The Village for RI Foster and Adoptive Families (The Village) and the Warwick-based Hispanic Foster and Adoptive Parents Organization of Rhode Island (The Heart Tree).

The Village, established in 2016 by a group of five foster and adoptive families, provides peer support to all RI foster, adoptive and kin families. The Village provides support through peer mentoring, peer-led support groups and family events, as well as running a “Closet” where families both donate and receive material things such as clothing, toys, diapers etc. The Heart Tree, a sister organization, also provides those same supports in a culturally appropriate manner to our Spanish speaking families. The Heart Tree was established in 2021 to meet the unique needs of Spanish speaking foster, adoptive and kin families.

Sixty-three-year-old Laurie Tapozada is a kinship caregiver who sees the value of the assistance provided by the The Village in raising her 8-year-old grandson. “When it first happened and I was suddenly raising a baby at age 55, I didn’t know one single other family like mine, she said.

“My life was turned on its head, I was struggling to manage my hectic work schedule with a baby and dealing with all sorts of messy and painful family dynamics that come with being a kinship caregiver,” says Tapozada.

According to Tapozada, she had to re-educate herself as to how to safely raise a baby without getting support from family and friends who thought she was “crazy” for taking this on. It was overwhelming and distressing until she received a call from a friend who suggested that she “call the Village and they will understand.”  From that point Tapozada has become actively involved in the kinship community and network, “It been a life changer for me,” she says.

Although Rhode Island is recognized as a leader in ensuring that children removed from homes are placed with kin, increasing support for kin families is a pressing need.  In 2022, the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging awarded a grant (through funding from the U.S. Administration for Community Living overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) to the Village and the Heart Tree, to identify informal kin families and help connect them to existing resources, and to the growing kinship caregiver community. 

RIOHA’s grant also funded a multi-faceted effort, in person and online activities, and incorporating traditional print, broadcast, digital and social media communication and training.  Throughout the year, exhibit tables were placed at family events, informational meetings and festivals to get the word out about available resource for kindship caregivers. This grant also created a statewide website where these individuals could go and learn more about resources, as well as find out what is happening in the kin community. This website is www.kinshipcommunityconnections.org.

Project Director Shannon Dos Santos, of the Village, sees the value and positive impact of this grant on Rhode Island’s kinship caregiver families. “I have seen the joy on the faces of many Kinship Caregivers aged 55 and over and their families over the last fifteen months as a result of this grant,” she says, noting that reaching out to this population and getting them to engage has been a challenge. “But when they do – it is beautiful to watch.”

According to Dos Santos, many just feel isolated, overwhelmed and alone. “This grant has allowed us to focus on community outreach and engagement as well as provided us with opportunities to enhance what we at the Village do so well – peer support and family activities!  “It has been a blessing to watch these families come together at these events, form relationships with others in  similar situations and feel safe sharing their experiences,” she says.  

The Village’s Chairman of the Board, Sue Babin, who is also full-time employee and a kinship caregiver, too, added, “This exciting grant initiative has provided The Village with an opportunity to continue to do what we do best… peer outreach and support from people with lived experiences.” And, while RI OHA’s grant ends this month, additional funding will extend the program for 12 months, she says.

For info about The Village for RI Foster & Adoptive Families (The Village), go to https://www.rivillage.org/. Or call (401) 481-5483.

For info about Hispanic Foster and Adoptive Parents Organization of Rhode Island (The Heart Tree), go to https://sites.google.com/view/thehearttree/homeinicio?authuser=1.  Or Call (401) 306-9652.

For info about Kinship Community Connections, go to https://kinshipcommunityconnections.org/

WPRI 12’ s Rhode Island Video on Foster Care Month, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhI206EXBfQ.

For a copy of the recently released research study, Caregiver Profile: A Closer Look at Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren, by NCFS at the University of Pittsburg, go to

https://www.caregiving.pitt.edu/caregiver-profile-closer-look-grandparents-caring-grandchildren