Employers Should Support the Invisible Workforce of Family Caregivers

Now that 2025 is officially here, I feel energized for the year ahead. But, I'm also greatly appreciative of the time spent around the holidays with my family. I am reflecting on the crucial role family caregivers play in our communities and how my fellow leaders can support them in their workplace. During the holiday season, family caregivers may find comfort in the presence of loved ones who may step in to help with daily caregiving tasks. However, it is important to keep family caregivers in mind as we return to our regular routines and begin the new year. As industry leaders, it’s on us to support them and make sure they get the help they deserve.

Being a family caregiver is an extraordinary commitment, one that can encompass everything from managing household chores to overseeing the health and financial well-being of loved ones. This relentless service is often performed without respite, as caregivers remain on duty around the clock, navigating a complex and demanding landscape.

In the United States, an estimated 45 million unpaid caregivers shoulder these responsibilities, often without sufficient resources or support. Findings from a new study conducted by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and sponsored by Otsuka, reveal that 61% of these caregivers are also managing careers, balancing professional obligations with their caregiving duties. At Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.) , we recognize this dual burden and are dedicated to creating a supportive environment for our caregiver employees.

Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace

Family caregivers are America’s invisible workforce, and they bear the brunt of a substantial financial burden that poses challenges for future generations. ?Effectively supporting these individuals requires a comprehensive approach that includes assistance at all levels. As a society, we must implement policy changes, but we can also make an impact at the employer level. Employers and business leaders should consider offerings such as:

Flexible work arrangements: This could include a compressed work week, remote work options, flexible hours and job sharing. Employers with shift-based employees can redesign roles to be task-based to mitigate the financial stress and productivity burden placed on employees who are also caregivers. Consider training managers and company leaders so they can better understand the impact of caregiving on employees and how to create flexibility in the workplace to accommodate these employees’ needs. By granting flexibility, employees can better work around the needs of the people they’re caring for while maintaining financial stability and pursuing their careers.

Benefits and financial support: Caregiving costs far outpace retirement savings, and 64% of caregivers are forced to make tough financial choices. Providing financial tools is one of the most impactful ways employers can make a difference. Consider including spending accounts employees can use to offset the cost of caregiving, as these benefits allow employees to withhold pretax income from their paychecks to help defray costs.

For example, Otsuka also offers paid leave specifically for family caregivers to support them financially while they provide care to a loved one. We also provide all Otsuka employees with access to comprehensive caregiver support through our Caregiver Navigator program that offers unlimited personalized care and emotional support. This service facilitates communication and coordination among a personal team of friends and family and unlocks access to existing employee benefits, expert content and resources searchable by ZIP code. We also provide personalized practical and emotional caregiver support in collaboration with ianacare, which offers tools and resources spanning across medication management, legal decisions, family mediation and more.

Otsuka’s Caregiver Commitment

Otsuka colleagues work tirelessly on behalf of patients and those who care for them. We are dedicated to caring for caregivers — standing with them in the same way they stand with their loved ones — and offering the tools they need to support their loved ones’ health and their own health.

As part of our Caregiver Commitment, we have invited family caregivers to the table to share their stories and help us create resources and tools to make the caregiving experience a bit easier. ?Our Agitation in Alzheimer’s Screener for Caregivers (AASC?) is a new tool designed to assist family caregivers with screening for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease. Our short, animated film supports “sandwich generation” caregivers in explaining an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis of a loved one to young children. In addition, Otsuka's Still Here video series lifts caregiver voices, shining a light not only on personal challenges, but also on the love, strength and resilience that lives within these individuals.

I’m proud of the work Otsuka has done so far to make a meaningful difference in the lives of caregivers. We will continue advocating and calling for industry changes to improve caregivers’ and their loved ones’ quality of life. If we work together, I believe we can ensure that all family caregivers receive the support they deserve.

If you or someone you know is a caregiver in need of support, you can find resources and tips on long-term caregiving by visiting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Family Caregiver Alliance and AARP. You can also look into organizations such as Caregiver Action Network, National Alliance for Caregiving and Alliance for Aging.?