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Supporting Employees Caring for Elderly Parents

Empower your workforce with expert-backed resources from Carents.co.uk to help them balance caring responsibilities and work.

A smiling woman wearing a headset types on a keyboard in a bright office. A representation of working carers balancing employment with caring responsibilities and understanding workplace rights, flexible working, and carer support policies.
Infographic that says 70% of carents have made significant changes to their careers due to caring responsibilities

Why Employers Should Support Staff Caring for Elderly Parents

A growing number of employees are juggling demanding jobs with caring for ageing parents. These workers, often called working carers or carents, face emotional, financial, and logistical pressures that directly impact:

  • Productivity

  • Wellbeing

  • Retention and career progression

Despite these challenges, many carents stay silent. Our research shows that around 10% of the UK workforce is providing informal care for an elderly relative - a significant proportion that employers cannot afford to ignore.

Estimates suggest that a working carent leaving a job costs employers roughly £30,000–£50,000 when factoring in recruitment, training, lost productivity, and disruption.

Creating a carent-supportive workplace not only benefits staff but also strengthens inclusion, loyalty, and resilience.

Download the full report

Key Findings from the 2025 Carents Survey

Our latest survey of over 1,000 carents with direct experience of caring for older relatives found:

  • 70% had to reduce hours, change roles, or leave work altogether because of caring duties
  • 37% revised retirement plans, often exiting earlier under financial and emotional strain

These hidden challenges carry costs for both employees and organisations. But they also present opportunities for forward-thinking employers to lead with empathy, flexibility, and inclusion.

The Impact of Staff Loss on Employers

New research highlights the significant organisational costs of losing midlife staff due to unaddressed caring responsibilities.

  • 44% of employers said staff departures had a negative business impact

  • 67% reported a mid-level or greater knowledge gap when staff left

  • 51% struggled to find staff with equivalent experience

  • 45% had to hire multiple people to cover one leaver’s responsibilities

Supporting carers in the workplace is therefore not just a moral duty. It’s a strategic business.

Download the full report

Immediate Actions Employers Can Take

Carents.co.uk is the UK’s trusted hub for people caring for elderly parents. It is free to access, available 24/7, and packed with practical, expert-led guidance.

Your employees can access:

  • Guides and Articles: Covering emergencies, NHS services, finances, housing, and legal rights

  • Practical Tools: Downloadable eBooks, checklists, and toolkits

  • Online Community: The Carents Lounge offers peer connection and real-life insight

  • Original Research: Including our landmark 2025 Carents in the Workplace Report

All content follows NHS Information Standard principles, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and accessibility.

Partner with Carents to Create a Carer-Friendly Workplace

Carents is more than an information hub, we collaborate with employers to design practical, tailored support for midlife employees who are caring for elderly relatives.

We can help you:

  • Assess your employees’ needs
  • Develop bespoke policies and checklists
  • Create carer-friendly culture and communications

Organisations that support carers see:

  • Higher retention rates
  • Lower absenteeism
  • Increased employee trust and engagement

Let’s Start the Conversation

Is your organisation committed to supporting employees who care for elderly parents?

  1. Work With Us

Download the 2025 Carents in the Workplace Report

Invisible and Overwhelmed: A Survey of UK Carents Balancing Wok and Elderly Care Responsibilities

Our new report reveals how UK employers are supporting employees who care for ageing loved ones. It features exclusive data and personal insights from over 1,000 carers.

Download your free copy by completing the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did you find this information helpful? Let us know what you think or pass on some advice to other carents by emailing us at hello@thecarentsroom.com

Last updated: 27/08/2025