Honoring Quiet Heroes: National Family Caregivers Month

By Shloe Jeffery, Director, U.S. Policy, Employee & Labor Relations, Bayer U.S.

For so many of us, our current reality is nowhere close to what we planned or imagined for 2020. At the same time, our natural instincts of survival, agility, resilience, care and concern for others, are in full swing out of both necessity and unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our loved ones.

As I reflect on the last 8–9 months, these instincts have provided so much comfort and support for our family, friends and colleagues. Now they are running low on energy with limited near-term options for recharging. So the proclamation for National Family Caregivers Month to honor the 40 million plus caregivers in the U.S., who provide support for aging parents, chronically ill spouses, functionally impaired or homebound loved ones, warms my heart as I consider the millions of people who dedicate countless hours to caregiving.

I personally have witnessed the toll on the lives of close family and friends as they provide precious care to aging parents and seriously ill children with a common thread of sacrifice, unconditional love, selflessness and compassion. What comes with that is a sense of obligation that understandably is emotionally and physically draining. Sometimes there is also an unintentional element of thanklessness that comes with the critical work they do in addition to their “day job.” This opportunity to celebrate them as part of National Caregivers Month becomes even more precious. For some, it may represent the first time anyone seizes the chance to recognize their servant hearts.

At Bayer, most of us have successfully transitioned to working remotely and have greatly appreciated the support and resources to do so. We continue to learn a lot about the challenges facing employees while working at home. Solutions like back up child and elder care, work from home office resources, expanded health and welfare benefits and amended paid leave policies, have provided caregivers with the flexibility to be there when needed to support their love ones, while also delivering on work commitments. It has largely been a winning combination.

In my roles as mom, wife of a veteran, oldest child of aging parents, friend of caregivers, active member of the community and HR leader, I’m inspired on a daily basis. My inspiration comes from the creativity, commitment and resilience of those who step up to enable or provide care for others. These quiet heroes expect little to nothing in return.

National Family Caregivers Day is a reminder of how we all can be flexible and supportive of those in our lives and at our jobs who are caregivers at home. The challenges they face can be almost impossible to navigate. Through care and compassion, we can help balance their duties to ensure the health and wellbeing of those who are most in need.