Caregiving Around the Clock: National Family Caregivers Month

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, more than one in five Americans (21%) serves as an unpaid caregiver to an adult or child with health or functional needs. Most caregivers devote over 20 hours per week to caregiving, with many providing care for five or more years—often while holding jobs, raising children, and managing households.

The NAC reports that 61% of caregivers are employed, and over half of those working caregivers have had to make workplace adjustments—such as reducing hours, taking unpaid leave, or even leaving a job entirely. This constant balancing act means many caregivers are effectively “on duty” both at home and at work.

This is what “caregiving around the clock” truly means: an ongoing, compassionate commitment that rarely pauses, even when caregivers themselves are exhausted.

FSR provides a range of services designed to lighten the load for caregivers and strengthen the support system around them:

• Home Care and Respite Services: Our trained staff deliver personal care, homemaking, and respite care—allowing caregivers to rest, recharge, or attend to other responsibilities knowing their loved one is well cared for.
• Care Coordination and Consultation: Our licensed social workers help families navigate care plans, connect with community resources, and plan for the future.
• Meal Delivery and Senior Companions: We bring nourishment and connection through meal delivery and friendly visits that reduce loneliness and provide peace of mind.
• Support Groups and Education: FSR offers spaces for caregivers to share experiences, learn self-care strategies, and gain practical skills to manage daily challenges.

By offering relief and guidance, FSR ensures that caregivers can sustain their vital role—without sacrificing their own well-being.

Caregiving doesn’t end when the workday begins. Many employees are also caregivers, navigating appointments, emergencies, and emotional stress between meetings and deadlines.

FSR is reaching out to local employers about creating caregiver-friendly workplaces. Supporting caregiver-employees isn’t just compassionate—it’s smart business. When workplaces embrace flexibility and empathy, they retain valuable employees and foster stronger, healthier teams.

National Family Caregivers Month reminds us that caregiving is both a labor of love and a daily act of endurance. The NAC’s research underscores what FSR sees every day: caregivers are the invisible infrastructure of our health and social systems, working around the clock without fanfare.

At Family Service Rochester, we’re honored to walk alongside these unsung heroes—offering respite, connection, and community to sustain them through every hour of care.

Let’s honor caregivers not just this month, but every day—by recognizing their endless dedication and ensuring they have the help, hope, and resources they deserve.

Learn more about FSR's Caregiver Support and Respite Services.