Caregiving is a big part of many Americans’ lives, but not everyone sees themselves as a caregiver. In fact, about 63 million people provide care, yet only 19% identify with the term. At a large institution like the University of Arizona, this means thousands of employees may be juggling significant caregiving responsibilities without realizing it.
For many, caregiving is simply part of being a good family member. It’s about being there for a parent, spouse, or sibling—not a traditional role that demands recognition. This can make it hard to seek support. After over 25 years of working with caregivers, I’ve seen how often this mindset gets in the way of asking for help. Many view caregiving as a family duty, making outside assistance feel like a failure.
For example, take Sarah, a U of A employee. She rushed to her mother’s house every morning, rearranged meetings to take her to doctors, and battled insurance over claims. Simultaneously, she helped her brother with autism navigate his job and social life. To her, she was just “helping out.”
In our consultation, I asked Sarah a simple question: If she couldn’t care for her family tomorrow, who would take over? She realized then that no one else knew her mother’s medications or the ins and outs of insurance. Talking about her responsibilities made it all feel more real. After connecting her with resources, she arranged flexible work hours and met others in similar situations.
Sarah later expressed, “I didn’t realize how alone I felt until I talked to someone else juggling the same things.” This shows how crucial it is to recognize the caregiver role. Many employees like Sarah deal with complexities such as scheduling medical visits, managing insurance, and supporting loved ones through health challenges.
Caregiving can take many forms. Whether managing a parent’s cancer treatment, helping a spouse with Parkinson’s, or assisting a child with mental health services, if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities, you’re caregiving—even if you don’t call it that.
When employees embrace their caregiver role, they often experience positive changes. They gain confidence in healthcare settings and begin utilizing workplace benefits they didn’t know about, all while connecting with others who understand their daily struggles. One employee shared, “Accepting that I’m a caregiver didn’t change my husband’s diagnosis. But it changed how I approached it all. It made the impossible feel manageable.”
Support is available. HR Life and Work Connections offers free, confidential consultations for anyone navigating the challenges of caregiving—whether you’re just starting to notice changes in a loved one or managing day-to-day care. If this resonates with you, there are resources to support you on this journey.
Interestingly, recent studies show that caring for loved ones can lead to mental health challenges, with caregivers experiencing higher levels of stress and burnout. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, nearly 40% of caregivers report feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities, emphasizing the need for community and support.
Recognizing caregiving impacts not only the caregiver but the entire family is vital. By sharing these experiences, we can foster a culture of support, ensuring no one feels alone. Remember, seeking help doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re caring for yourself while caring for others.
