CAREGIVING AND EMPLOYMENT - COMPETING OR COMPLEMENTARY ROLES

This study examines the potential benefits and costs of having both wo rk and elder care responsibilities, based on interviews with 94 employ ed caregivers. For the majority of the respondents, the negative aspec ts of combining work and caregiving roles were outweighed by positive aspects, such as a sense of accomplishment, enhanced interpersonal rel ationships, and opportunities to compensate for limitations experience d in each of the separate roles. Workplace policies and programs consi dered most helpful by respondents were those which provided options fo r adapting work routines to complement caregiving responsibilities.