A day in the life of a caregiving employee

Understanding the caregiving employee experience and how employers can help

Chances are, you have many employees with caregiving responsibilities within your organization. In fact, according to data from the AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, nearly one in five full-time workers in the U.S. is also a caregiver,¹ a number expected to grow as caregiving demands increase. 

Here’s a glimpse into what a typical day looks like for someone managing work responsibilities while attending to the needs of a family member requiring care.

6:00 AM - The day begins

The alarm clock blares early, but there's no hitting snooze. The morning starts with preparing breakfast not just for oneself but also for their loved one, ensuring any dietary requirements or medication schedules are carefully adhered to. A quick mental rundown of the day’s priorities happens with coffee in hand, trying to strike the right balance between caregiving tasks and meetings on the work calendar.

7:30 AM - Morning care routine

It’s time for caregiving duties before work officially starts. This may involve assisting with bathing, dressing, or mobility. For caregivers looking after elderly parents or someone with a disability, even these basic activities can take longer than expected, requiring equal parts patience and care. Often, the clock feels like the biggest adversary in the fight to stay on schedule.

9:00 AM - Shift to employee mode

With caregiving tasks temporarily managed, it’s time to join the workforce. Whether working remotely or commuting to the office, caregivers often find themselves switching or bouncing between roles. Logging into project discussions, responding to emails, or problem-solving with coworkers requires focus. However, their mind might occasionally wander toward how their family member is doing at home.

Many caregivers proactively coordinate support systems, such as hiring part-time home aides or relying on nearby family, to ensure their loved one is taken care of while they’re working. However, this isn’t always an option, making it difficult to concentrate fully.

12:30 PM - Lunchtime check-in

A lunch break isn’t always about relaxing or recharging—it’s about multitasking. Caregivers often use this time to schedule doctor’s appointments, handle household errands, or check in with their loved one. Those working from home may rush to prepare meals or assist with midday medication needs before quickly scarfing down their lunch. The break feels anything but restful, yet it’s necessary to keep the day running smoothly.

3:00 PM - Afternoon challenges

As the day wears on, the challenges of balancing tasks can feel more pronounced. For caregivers, work interruptions are not uncommon—be it a call from a healthcare provider, an emergency at home, or a need for reassurance from their loved one. Navigating these interruptions without compromising job responsibilities requires extraordinary adaptability (and often a supportive workplace).

Employers that allow flexible schedules can provide a lifeline for caregiving employees – allowing them to meet their professional commitments without neglecting their caregiving duties.

5:30 PM - End of the workday (or not)

For most employees, the end of a workday signals time to relax. For caregiving employees, it marks the start of their “second shift.” It’s back to caregiving mode—preparing dinner, managing household chores, ensuring medication is taken, and tackling unexpected issues. Evenings can be incredibly physically and emotionally taxing. However, for many, this is also a time to connect and nurture personal bonds with their loved ones.

9:00 PM - A brief moment for self-care

By nightfall, there is often little energy left, but caregivers understand the significance of taking care of themselves too. Whether it’s stealing a few moments with a favorite book, taking a relaxing bath, or simply sinking into quiet reflection, these small acts of self-care are critical for maintaining their well-being. Yet, a looming sense of exhaustion may persist, knowing the cycle will begin again tomorrow.

11:00 PM - Rest is essential

After a day filled with what feels like giving 110% at work and home, it’s finally bedtime. Sleep isn’t just a luxury for caregivers but an absolute necessity to recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately, sleep might occasionally get disrupted by caregiving responsibilities during the night, but these employees still soldier on, ready to face the next day.

This hypothetical example is provided for illustrative purposes only.  Each caregiving situation will vary depending upon the needs of the individual being cared for, their condition, and the resources available to the caregiver.

How employers can help

Creating a workplace culture that supports caregiving employees can make a world of difference. Employers can step in by:

• Offering flexible working hours or other options.

• Providing access to employee assistance programs (EAPs).

• Raising awareness about caregiving challenges among teams and managers.

• Encouraging open communication about needs or challenges employees face at home.

• Creating initiatives or perks that contribute to employees’ mental health and well-being.

Small changes can make an enormous difference, not just for caregiving employees but also for their loved ones and their overall productivity and morale within the organization.

¹2020 Report: Caregiving in the U.S., The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-united-states/.

SMRU 7648340 Exp. 12.31.2025