Black and Hispanic caregivers hard-hit by pandemic, look to employers for support

The pandemic amplified health inequities in several American populations, particularly in those underserved by the medical industry, causing both physical and mental health outcomes to worsen for Black and Hispanic individuals who are older and have disabilities, and at the same time, for their caregivers. Employee benefits professionals are in a position to help provide valuable education and resources to these overlooked groups.

More than 1 one in 5 Americans are caregivers — 17% of them are Hispanic (non-White, non-African-American) and 13% Black.

Yet research indicates that the life stages, finances, care responsibilities and health of Black and Hispanic family caregivers often are different than those of their White and Asian peer caregivers.

According to Fact Sheets based on The Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 Report, Black caregivers are on average in their upper 40s and single, while Hispanic caregivers are younger than any other race or ethnic group, 43.3 years old on average, typically married or living with a partner and more often have children under age 18 living in their home.

Both Black and Hispanic caregivers care for parents/parents-in-law and grandparents, but Hispanics also are more likely to care for spouses, and all live in the same homes with the loved ones for whom they provide care. They provide 26-31 hours of high-intensity care per week for four to five years plus, typically without any other unpaid caregiving help and often in isolation.

Most Black and Hispanic caregivers are employed full-time while they are providing care, and their role as family caregivers has had an impact on their work, manifesting in reduced hours, taking time off to provide care or even taking a lower-paying role that may be less demanding. These financial impacts are more severe as caregiving costs consume a larger percentage of overall income, according to an American Society on Aging report. Black families are estimated to spend 34% of their annual income on caregiving expenses such as medical expenses and cost for paid care support, compared to the 14% of income paid for by White families.

In addition to higher caregiving costs, Hispanic caregivers on average have lower household incomes, to begin with, and are often in hourly-paid jobs. The financial impacts of caregiving for Hispanics more commonly result in leaving bills unpaid or paying them late, being unable to afford basic expenses like food or moving to a less expensive place to live.

Despite these financial impacts, many caregivers within the Hispanic community don’t realize they are caregivers or don’t identify with the term. Some think they are just doing what they should for their families or loved ones. The high cultural commitment to caregiving among Hispanic caregivers may cause them to neglect their own health. Often, Hispanic caregivers are the sole caregivers for their loved ones, placing them at risk of isolation and mental health strain.

And their caregiving responsibilities take a toll on their health. Black caregivers report being in excellent or very good health less often and moderate to high levels of physical strain than their white counterparts.

Hispanic caregivers less often have health insurance and most report long-range future care planning is lacking, both for the recipient’s and their own care. Hispanic caregivers report the fewest sources of caregiving help or information.

However, Hispanic caregivers more often feel their role gives them a sense of purpose or meaning in life. Many Black caregivers similarly feel they had no choice in taking on their role, yet most “find a sense of purpose or meaning in that role.”

Understanding the cultural, financial, physical and mental health stressors for Black and Hispanic family caregivers is the first step that employee benefits professionals must take to help these two groups of employees balance the demands of caregiving with the other roles that they play in their lives. Since the majority are employed, responsive employers are increasingly responding to their needs.

One-on-one individualized consultations are becoming increasingly available to employees and their families in unique caregiving circumstances, including Spanish-language translation, when appropriate. Benefits professionals are becoming adept at understanding and communicating how traditional benefits can help caregivers, for example how health plans can cover Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, often used to treat autism, or how a Health Savings or Flexible Spending account can help pay for eligible health expenses not already covered by a health plan.

In addition, specific employer-provided benefits may be able to help meet the needs of caregivers, including

• “Support groups” like Employee Resource Groups
• Low- or no-cost mental health benefits
• Health care concierge services
• Flexible employee leave policies
• Legal services
• Paid or subsidized respite and emergency care
• Student loan debt programs
• Special needs planning resources and consultations
• Access to ABLE accounts for eligible individuals
• Disability income and critical illness insurance coverages
• Retirement accounts and/or Health Spending Accounts

“Stay-at-home” caregivers who do not work outside of the home should look to see what benefits may be available through a spouse’s or eligible partner’s employer.

In today’s tight labor market, benefits offerings that help caregiver employees navigate the added responsibilities of their dual roles — and the benefits professionals who are savvy about these benefits offerings — may help to create a recruiting edge for an employer.

Jessica Tuman is head of Voya Cares and ESG Practice COE.

This material is provided for general and educational purposes only. Neither Voya nor its affiliated companies or representatives provide tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax adviser or attorney before making a tax-related investment/insurance decision. Wellthy is a separate entity and not a corporate affiliate of Voya Financial. All caregiver solutions provided by Wellthy. Voya Cares is not insurance coverage. It is a service offered through the Voya family of companies.Products and services offered through the Voya family of companies.