Nearly half of caregivers are interested in technology to connect them to live health and wellness experts to support their caregiving activities. (Photo: Shutterstock)
It's a new era of caregiving – resulting in a "Care-nundrum" that employers can help solve, according to Cambia Health Solutions' "Wired for Care: The New Face of Caregiving in America."
"The US is facing significant rates of chronic health conditions and mental illness among people of all ages and the maturation of 72 million baby boomers," the authors write. "As a result, the need for unpaid caregivers, and the demands made of them, will only grow. At the same time, the diversity of care people need is matched by the diverse aspects making up today's caregiver."
Indeed, 36 percent of caregivers are between the ages 18 and 34–younger than what is typically thought, and the group is almost equally split along gender lines: 53 percent are women and 47 percent are men. Moreover, those now being cared for are children and adults of every age, with a range of chronic or serious health conditions that also include behavioral or mental illnesses.
While 75 percent of employed caregivers believe their workplace productivity is being hindered by their personal caregiving obligations, virtually all (94 percent) of health care and benefit decision makers surveyed believe productivity has actually been hampered when employees have taken actions, such as taking off or making phone calls at work to consult with their loved one's doctors.
This is where the use of health-related digital tools can really help.
"Employers providing digital services to help employees manage their unpaid caregiving responsibilities and access expert resources may see dividends in greater employee engagement and increased job satisfaction," the authors write.
Currently two-thirds (64 percent) of caregivers are using at least one digital tool, such as platforms, portals websites to efficiently manage their caregiving responsibilities, and 85 percent of employers say they offer employees at least one digital tool to help them manage their caregiving responsibilities.
"But there are opportunities to do more," the authors write. "While caregivers clearly want access to human experts, the majority of employers and employed caregivers report their company does not currently offer a tool featuring remote access to family health records or live human interaction."
Nearly two in five employed caregivers say having access to a tool that enables them to monitor health records remotely (43 percent) or connects them with a health and wellness professional who can answer questions and support caregiving activities (36 percent) would increase their workplace satisfaction.
"When people are providing highly personal, often emotionally charged care to loved ones, the human touch is vital," the authors write. "Caregivers crave it, and the more time they spend on caregiving, the higher the interest in technology that improves their care responsibilities."
Nearly half (41 percent) of caregivers are interested in technology to connect them to live health and wellness experts to support their caregiving activities, and 39 percent agree a tool that connects them with a health guide via chat to help answer questions and complete caregiving tasks would improve their care responsibilities.
While a quarter of caregivers are concerned with the data privacy risks of digital health tools, the vast majority (70 percent) would be comfortable sharing their health data with others if they knew they are using a secure platform. As for employers, 82 percent would feel more inclined to offer a digital health tool to their employees if they knew the tool vendor was HIPAA compliant and had an established history in the health care industry.
"Employers have the opportunity to support their employees and positively impact their business by evaluating tools and services delivering leading edge technology and personalized support–especially when it comes to caregivers," the authors write. "Providing solutions backed by support and personalization can also help improve their employees' work-life balance and overall job satisfaction."
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Katie Kuehner-Hebert
Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a freelance writer based in Running Springs, Calif. She has more than three decades of journalism experience, with particular expertise in employee benefits and other human resource topics.
