Gretal Leibnitz, Ph.D.Assistant Director, EXCELinSE Center

Leibnitz@wsu.edu

The Sandwich Generation Scientist: Implications of Multi-Generational Care for the

Academy

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE grant No. 0810927. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

There are only four kinds of people in the world; Those who have been caregivers

Those who are currently caregiversThose who will be caregivers

Those who will need caregivers.

--Roslyn Carter, Helping Yourself Help Others

1) 2009 COACHE : FACULTY WORK/LIFE SATISFACTION

CAREGIVING CONTEXT:

CHILDCARE (CC) AND ELDERCARE (EC)

Primarily female caregivers

Gendered nature of care

Personal, professional, emotional and financial implications

Care reversals In/Dependence Maturity/Death Parent/Child role reversals

Proximity concerns In-home caregivers >

negative consequences Timing and Planning

EC precipitated by crisis EC not eagerly awaited Not openly discussed

Similarities Differences

Note: EC = Elder Care

PAST VS FUTURE

Life expectancy = 40

In 1900 4% > 65 1960-1999: 20-64%

in women with children < 6 in the workforce ( childcare support demands)

Life expectancy = 77 12% > 65 1960-1994: >274%

increase in old-old (>85)—expected to triple by 2040

By 2020, 40% of the workforce predicted to care for an elderly relative

20th Century 21st Century

ELDER CAREGIVERS PROFILE Women outnumber men

(2:1) Most are middle-aged

(35-64 years old—average age 46 years old.)

She is married & employed full-time

She spends an average of 21 hrs/wk providing care

20-40% are also caring for children

2) FALL 2008 WSU ELDERCARE IMPACT SURVEY RESULTS:

83.6% were women (n=313) 89% worked full-time 86% caregivers ages 36-65 28% elder/child care

concurrently 60% anticipate dealing

with elder care in the next 5 years (41% current)

44% had their elder living with them or in a home nearby

14% > 30 hours/week eldercare

45% reported physical and/or emotional strain

WSU SURVEY RESULTS (CONTINUED)

37% care for > 81 years 32% missed 1-3 days of

work in the last 3 months 43% left work early 1-3

days in the last 3 months 47% indicated

productivity loss 39% indicated mildly

negative impact on family/friends relationships

15.3% considered seeking a different position at WSU

19.4% seriously considered leaving WSU

IN-DEPTH FACULTY INTERVIEW FINDINGSCulture of silenceIncreased STRESSNegative impact on relationships

with family and friendsFemales are primarily caregiversFaculty members are unaware of

resourcesFinancial concernsNeed for emotional/ informational

support

3) 2010 BACK-UP CARE NEEDS ASSESSEMENT

Pilot study (n =57); (79% Women) 64.7% childcare; 23.5% eldercare 55% indicated a negative work/life balance

HOW WOULD BACK-UP CARE HELP?

IN DEPTH INTERVIEWS (n = 13) Dependent care caused them to be more

efficient with time available for work Career advancement effected Faculty report greater flexibility (e.g.,

work from home option) that can be helpful

No plans for unexpected situations Faculty interviewed requested

Dependent Back-up Care service

BUSINESS CASE FOR BROADER AND MORE EXPANSIVE DEPENDENT CARE SUPPORT Similar to childcare, support for elder care is

good for the bottom lineCost of eldercare = 11 billion to 29 billion (1997)

—(e.g., replacing employees) Voluntary Employer Benefits

Information benefits (least costly, most common)Financial benefits (e.g., Dependent Care

spending accounts; Long-term health insurance)Flexibility benefits (i.e., policies that offer greater

workplace flexibility: flextime, compressed workweeks, job sharing, telecommuting)

Other?

Submitted By:

©2010, Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLCSeptember 2010/ Updated February 2011

BACK-UP CARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM®

Washington State University

Program Overview and Proposal

WHAT IS BACK-UP CARE?

For Children of All Ages Primary child care breakdowns Extended hours coverage Weekend and holiday coverage Caregiver vacations and sick days Work schedule changes Faculty/staff relocations Business travel Stay-at-home spouse appointments Nanny turnover School vacations, cancellations, and

professional development days Mildly-ill exclusions, when children

cannot attend school or child care centers

For Adult Dependents (Elder Care)

• Accident, injury, or health issue requiring temporary, non-medical support

• Regular care breaks down • Family member or other care

provider travels for business, attends meetings, goes on vacation, or has medical appointments

• Primary caregiver is sick • Primary caregiver and/or family

member takes a respite from caregiving

• Post surgery non-medical support

A network of centers and in-home caregivers that provides care when regular forms of care break down: for emergency care, as well as care for scheduled breakdowns.