“Maybe they’re a little late for work because there’s been a crisis or have to leave early for a doctor’s appointment,” said Black, who is program director of Employee Assistance Services in Plattsburgh. “Their workplace policy may not allow use of sick time because the parent (or whomever) doesn’t live in (the employee’s) home.”

And so the person ends up using small increments of allowable paid time off for those brief but vital situations. And so stress builds.

“Thirty-seven percent of those working while caregiving went from full- to part-time,” Black reported another AARP finding.

“Look at the domino effect,” she said. “There’s less income and also less workplace benefits.”

Some people take early retirement to take care of a loved one, she added.

It’s the exception rather than the norm that those folks seek outside help. Sometimes, people just get overwhelmed; support groups might be useful, they know, but there just isn’t time. Or the idea of tracking down resources might seem too difficult.

“There’s a very independent spirit that sometimes prevents taking advantage of resources out there,” added Labonte, program coordinator for Behavioral Health Services North’s Caregiver Resource Center. “(Many people) are very reluctant to bring someone else in; they put everything on hold to take care of their parents” or other loved ones.

“We have more than 60 door prizes to give away,” coaxed Black, naming gift cards to eateries including Applebees and Butcher Block, hair salons and other establishments. A large gift basket with personal health-care products and other items aimed to de-stress was contributed by Eastern Adirondack Health Care Network.

That’s the grand prize, Black said.

When people try to shoulder the entire burden, they are apt to break down at some point, often with health issues of their own.
The program will offer a lot of helpful information, Black said.

“There is a tax credit that some caregivers can receive,” she noted. “That’s something they should look into.”

Some might qualify for paid leave through the expanded version of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Sometimes, employers have provisions that might well serve an employee doing the work/caregiver dance.

“A lot of people don’t read the handbook,” Black said.

Then again, some employers don’t even think about how caregiving can affect their business — until a key employee begins to struggle with that challenge.

“Most of the time, it’s going to be that employee going to the employer … saying this is what is going on.”

Black tries to empower people who need to have that discussion. She works with employers, as well.

The goal, she said, “is how to retain this quality employees.”