Balancing Work and Being a Care Partner in 2025

By Janet Williams, CDP, CADDCT, CMC

Owner, StilMee Florida

In today’s workplace, one word continues to stand out in conversations about employee well-being: “presenteeism.” It describes employees who show up for work physically but are distracted mentally, often because of caregiving responsibilities at home. While absenteeism is easy to measure, presenteeism quietly chips away at productivity and is often noticed first by the employee themselves.

Employees may arrive late after helping a parent get to an adult day program, spend break times making calls to check in at home, or juggle doctor’s appointments and medication management between meetings. The toll is cumulative. Over time, stress builds as care partners push their own needs aside to keep up with work, family, and home obligations. The result is often physical and emotional strain, and sometimes serious health consequences.

The Hidden Journey Into Caregiving

Most family care partners don’t identify as “caregivers” at first. They might start by paying bills, doing the shopping, or picking up prescriptions. Eventually, they notice their loved one is skipping meals or living on tea and sweets, so they step in to prepare and share meals. Soon, they’re attending medical visits, coordinating care, and providing hands-on support. At some point, they realize:

• I can’t do this alone anymore.

• Am I making the right choices for my loved one?

• Where do I turn for help?

When a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, caregiving becomes an even deeper, long-term commitment. Safety, nutrition, and well-being become pressing concerns. Research has shown that the stress of dementia caregiving can mirror the hypervigilance of being “on duty” 24/7—comparable to soldiers in combat—never knowing when the next emergency will happen.

Workplace Realities in 2025

Today, nearly 1 in 5 employees in the U.S. are balancing their responsibilities at work while also serving as a care partner. While more organizations now recognize the impact of caregiving on retention and productivity, stigma remains. Many employees still avoid using Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) out of fear that admitting their struggle might affect job security or career advancement. Others simply don’t know what supports are available.

Forward-thinking employers in 2025 are beginning to address this reality by offering:

• Caregiver-friendly policies such as flexible scheduling, remote work options, or care partner leave.

• On-site or virtual support groups for employees caring for aging parents or loved ones with dementia.

• Partnerships with care partner and family coaching services to provide employees with personalized strategies and resources.

Resources That Make a Difference

Family care partners do not have to walk this road alone. Many community resources remain available and have expanded in recent years:

• Area Agencies on Aging and councils on aging continue to offer case management, respite funds, in-home support, meal programs, and safety initiatives like GPS tracking for individuals at risk of wandering.

• The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) offers education, 24/7 helplines, and both in-person and virtual support groups nationwide.

• Employer-based care partner initiatives (such as care partner lunch-and-learns or peer groups) help normalize the care partner conversation at work.

• Care partner coaching and training—whether by phone, video, or at home—have been shown to significantly reduce stress, improve coping skills, and delay the need for residential care by up to two years.

Why Education and Support Matter

Education about dementia and other age-related conditions is critical. When care partners understand the disease, anticipate changes in behavior, and learn practical strategies for communication and care, the burden feels lighter. Support groups reinforce that they are not alone. Coaching provides tools that make day-to-day caregiving manageable.

Most importantly, when care partners recognize their limits, access resources, and share responsibilities, both the care partner and the loved one benefit. Balancing work and caregiving is never easy, but with education, community support, and workplace awareness, families can find a healthier way forward.