FF, how do we find what companies have policy in place that is supportive of family caregivers? I have had several interviews over the past few years and from the reaction of interviewers, you would think I have been doing nothing other than sitting around eating bon bons and watching soaps all day.

That's good news. I'm glad you're able to have your employer's consideration. I hope he/she has been told how much it's appreciated. Blessings.

Since this above article was written a year ago, many Fortune 500 companies are now taking upon themselves to help employees who are trying to balance caregiving with their career. Some companies are even offering Adult Day Care centers, and some companies have within their HR department a separate Elder Care division which offer counseling and referrals.

I had lost a wonderful job because of all the time off I was taking to help drive my aging parents where ever they wanted to go... I was being the good daughter. Since my work had to be spread out among other employees, headquarters decided to eliminate my job. My immediate Manager was the Ice Queen, thus no compassion at all. Good bye.

Now I work for a small business where the owner of the company had been caring for his wife who had Alzheimer's, thus he fully understood. I was able to come and go as I pleased. The projects all got completed on schedule because I wasn't stressed out worrying about work.

Once again women step up to the plate and get it done. And then get the shaft. Not too surprising is it?

Anne -marie maybe you could post your information on LinkedIn.

I can relate! I put my professional career on hold to take care of my father... with little or no help from family or friends...for three years. When he passed I felt confident I could reenter the workforce. Unfortunately, for me, I have not been able to secure employment to save my life. Ironically, enough I use to work in healthcare. Employers, have very little respect if any for taking time off to care for a loved on I.e. on a resume/medical leave to care for family. As a woman, caregiving in the world of those who work outside the home is parallel to "being a stay at home mom". It's no surprise women end up taking on this role more than men. My only hope for the future is that the general public becomes more educated on the importance of having the right resources and support for the aging population, their families and the impact this has on all those involved.

I work for a small business where I was a key person on the small staff, being the only family member my Mom has caused me to have to take a little time off ( totally about 12 days) when she broke her hip, had a heart attack and moved to assisted living all in a 4 month period. My boss was somewhat understanding at first, but I have noticed he is taking away some of my responsibility and obviously wants to become less defendant on my role. I need my job but the pressure of balancing work and managing my Mom is taking its toll and I can really see how this issue can stall a career.

My brother has a wife and 3 kids. At the time when I was caring for my dad I had an almost-18 year old who was pretty self-sufficient so it made sense that I give up my life to care for our dad. However, as things progressed and my dad went into a nursing home and we just lived from one crisis to the next if I called my brother at work and asked him to come and help me he'd be there in 2 seconds. As this article said, it didn't make any sense for my brother to quit his job having a family and all. It just made more sense that I quit my work life. However, once my dad was gone and I was able to start working again I found that no one held my obvious gap in employment against me once I explained what I had been doing for the past 5 years. I got a job right away.

This is true! I just left my job to care for an ill parent. None of my four brothers have altered their life.

We need to band together to elevate the role of family caregivers. By wrapping it up in financial terms to show just how much we are saving the family member and our nation ( thru saved Medicad $) we should be able to get the attention and recognition we need. This world only redpknds to the $$$ and it isn't until our Legislators and politicians go thru this life phase that they come close to getting it!! A start would be to support our County Youth and Aging Departments. They need more funding for new program development and compliance mgmt. heck.. They could self fund with violation fees if they were able to enforce quality of life issues at local NH and care facilities. I just read where the FBI busted a 36 yr old guy for millions in fraudulent Medicare hospice reimbursement pmts. he was falsely reporting @ $650 per day when he should have only been getting $150. I'd go to work for this new Healthcare compliance agency for end of life care!! We as caregivers need to speak up and believe in ourselves for all we do.

Employers think you are lazing around if you have been caregiving. In my case I am at 2.5 years of caring. What are suggestions how to show caregiving on a resume or online job services? The employers do not want much of a gap in employment, yet they think we are a bunch of lazy, good-for-nothings.

Absolutely true and it takes up so much time that there is no time left for developing a business. And yet others in the family who are not helping bring home a hefty paycheck.

This article speaks to my heart. I relate to it all. I have just started work again after over a year. The pay is 30% of what I was making. The benefits are excellent and it affords me a schedule and location close enough to continue the level of care for my Mom needed. Making these sacrifices is the right thing to do. My sister and brother have been helping me bridge the gap financially until my 1st paycheck. I have accepted that this is my life now. Live, Love and Laugh