November Is National Family Caregivers Month

Over 53 million Americans, or one in five adults, serve as family caregivers, balancing work with the demands of supporting loved ones. These responsibilities can significantly impact employee mental well-being, productivity, and retention.

As you prepare to recognize National Family Caregivers Month, it is a timely reminder that workplace support is not just compassionate—it is strategic. Organizations that invest in mental health and caregiver support see stronger engagement, morale, and resilience. By fostering inclusive cultures that reduce stigma, encourage open dialogue, and offer accessible resources, organizations can build workplaces where employees feel connected, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Supporting Employee Caregivers

Consider these actionable tips to create meaningful change:

• Prioritize Flexibility and Support: Offer designated mental health days, flexible scheduling, and regular breaks, and continuously reassess workloads to help prevent burnout.
• Promote Mental Health Resources: Make sure employees know about available support. Highlight your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), share hotlines like 988 Lifeline, educate about local services, and centralize all resources in a dedicated intranet hub.
• Encourage Open Dialogue: Train managers to have empathetic conversations, recognize signs of distress, and foster safe, stigma-free spaces for mental health conversations.

Specialized Support for Diverse Caregiving Needs

Caregiving is deeply personal and varies widely depending on the situation. Tailored support and resources can empower employees to navigate their unique caregiving journeys with confidence and compassion:

Family & Parental Caregivers

Caregivers who provide unpaid support to loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, or age-related needs, including parents of children with special challenges, need:

• Emotional and respite support
• Flexible work options and inclusive policies
• Access to advocacy and resources

Long-Distance Caregivers

Caregivers who live far from the person they support, sometimes in another city, state, or country, and manage care remotely, need:

• Remote monitoring tools and communication resources
• Coordination support with local providers, contacts or care managers
• Travel assistance or leave policies

Sandwich Generation Caregivers

Caregivers who support both aging parents and their own children often juggle multiple responsibilities, face unique pressures, and need:

• Time management, financial support, and counseling
• Childcare and eldercare benefits
• Mental health resources

Veterans & Service Member Caregivers

Caregivers of veteran family members with physical or psychological injuries need:

• VA benefits and stipends
• PTSD and trauma-informed care resources
• Navigation support for military systems

Caregivers for Individuals with Mental Health Conditions

Caregivers supporting loved ones with mental health conditions, often helping with crisis situations, medication management, and maintaining daily stability, need:

• Crisis support and education
• Access to behavioral health professionals and stigma reduction initiatives
• Peer support networks

Explore These Resources

To better support employees in their caregiving roles, explore and share targeted resources using this curated list, developed by the Hylant Health Strategies team. These materials can be easily integrated into internal communications such as newsletters, EAP portals, and well-being channels.

To remain competitive and foster strong, adaptable teams, organizations need to prioritize holistic well-being strategies. Connect with Hylant to explore how we can support your health and well-being initiatives.

Related Reading: Support Employee Mental Health with Time Off

The above information does not constitute advice. Always contact your employee benefits broker or trusted advisor for insurance-related questions.