Welcome to our 2ND June episode of “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast (S6, Ep 72) hosted by Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club.

On this episode we are highlighting June’s Employee Wellness Month and specifically focusing on employees who are also caregivers with Melissa Fisher of Kaiser Permanente, who is both a caregiver and an advocate for caregivers at work.

Currently 63 million Americans are caring for an adult loved one – persons over age 18 – and 7 in 10 are also juggling job responsibilities. In the workplace, 1 in 5 employees are also family caregivers of adults and if you add children then 1 in 3 employees are caring for loved ones of all ages. Many of these are what we call the “Sandwich Generation” caring for children while simultaneously caring for older parents or grandparents and all while achieving this balancing act while working.

Sherri was recently on a panel discussion hosted by the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) for employer HR executives on caregiving in the workplace and met fellow panelist, Melissa Fisher of Kaiser Permanente. She asked Melissa to come on the podcast to talk about her personal caregiver journey while working – caring for parents, a beloved aunt and also parenting her children. Her insights on what is needed from employers is important for all employees but especially those who are also family caregivers.

Sherri and Melissa discuss:

·       How employers can support caregivers – what benefits or programs Melissa found most helpful but also what she wished you had access to

·       Her workplace plus Sandwich Generation experience led Melissa to start “Care Partner Care” at Kaiser Permanente – she tells us about this program and how it helps caregivers in their workplace

·       Sherri mentioned that some caregivers feel that going to work is a respite break from the challenges and burnout of caring for a loved one – it gives the caregiver back a sense of control they don’t experience in caregiving. Melissa agreed and explained her thoughts on how work can be a haven

·       When it comes to workplaces and employees who are caregiving – Sherri and Melissa discuss what they hope to see change in the workplace over the next 5 years when we will have more parents than children to care for in this country.

WATCH THE PODCAST HERE: https://youtu.be/f18NsRsSxn0

Thank you for making “Caregiving Club On Air” #3 on the list of top 80 caregiving podcasts!

Subscribe on your favorite listening channel or our YouTube channel. Learn more on our episode guide page on the Caregiving Club website: caregivingclub.com/podcast/

Take care and stay well!