Sandwich carers – those juggling care for dependent children and an elderly loved one are predicted to be left out of pocket by an average of £257 a week – and a total of £1,546 over the six weeks of summer holidays*, according to new research from Employee Benefits Provider Seniorcare By Lottie.
The research highlights the everyday struggles experienced by sandwich carers, who provide vital care to their elderly loved ones and children, alongside employment and other life commitments – which are exacerbated in the summer months.
The out-of-pocket costs include expenses like household bills, childcare or summer camp costs (which can total £1,257 per child), and any equipment or external support when caring for a loved one.
In the last three months, there has been a surge in carers turning online for support**:
- 200% increase in online searches for ‘respite care for family caregivers’
- 100% increase in online searches for ‘taking care of elderly parents’
- 100% increase in online searches for ‘respite care near me’
As a result, the demand for respite care (care homes and home care) through Elderly Care Marketplace Lottie surged by 180% in the run-up to the summer holidays*** as sandwich carers look for short-term support.
George Howard, Senior Manager at Seniorcare by Lottie, commented:
The Carers Leave Act, which came into effect in April, provides a week of unpaid leave for caregiving. While this is a positive step, business leaders need to take further action to support carers in the workplace. Enhanced support through clear carer policies and encouraging a supportive network can significantly reduce the strain on these employees.
George Howard, Senior Manager at Seniorcare by Lottie
The business benefits of supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities:
1. Improved employee productivity
Employees who are also caregivers often struggle to balance their responsibilities. By providing eldercare solutions, businesses can help alleviate some of the caregiving burden, enabling employees to remain focused and productive.
2. Reduced Absenteeism
Caregivers may need to take time off work to handle emergencies or manage day-to-day caregiving tasks. Offering eldercare benefits, such as access to respite care or in-home support, reduces the need for unscheduled leave, allowing employees to maintain a more consistent work schedule.
3. Employee Retention and Attraction
Sandwich carers (those caring for children and elderly loved ones) often leave the workforce due to the overwhelming demands of caregiving. By supporting these employees through eldercare benefits, businesses can retain experienced and skilled staff, reducing turnover costs and maintaining continuity within teams.
Companies that offer comprehensive eldercare benefits can position themselves as employers of choice, attracting top talent who value work-life balance and family-friendly policies. This is particularly important in a competitive job market where benefits packages can be a key differentiator.
4. Employee wellbeing and mental health
The stress of managing caregiving responsibilities alongside work can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Eldercare solutions, such as access to counselling, respite care, and flexible working arrangements, can significantly improve the mental well-being of employees, leading to a more positive and productive workplace culture.
5. Financial savings for the business
The average UK business can save £42,400 in lost productivity, absenteeism, and turnover a year due to employees balancing eldercare responsibilities and work. This totals around £848 per employee with caregiving responsibilities.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.