Hidden Truths: #2 of the Hidden Truths of Professionals Who Care: Limited Choice in Being a Caregiver

Hidden Truths: #2 - Limited Choice in Being A Caregiver - "No one plans to become a caregiver. Our laws must reflect this hidden truth."

Welcome to "Hidden Truths," where we illuminate the realities faced by professionals who are also caregivers. Our goal is to shed light on the often-invisible challenges and incredible strengths of this significant population within our workforce. Employed caregivers often navigate their dual roles in silence, fearing stigma and discrimination, which keeps their experiences hidden from public view.

We're peeling back the layers to reveal 12 critical truths about caregiving in America. Today, we delve into the fundamental reality of how many individuals find themselves in the role of caregiver, often without any prior planning or choice.

#2 of 12: Limited Choice, Isolation, and the Crushing Financial Impact of Solo Caregiving

You know, when I speak with people in Colorado and across the country through CASI and Professionals Who Care, one thing becomes crystal clear: becoming a caregiver is rarely a planned career move. Life throws us curveballs - a sudden diagnosis like my mom's dementia back in 2019, a tragic accident, the slow creep of a chronic illness. These events often thrust us into the role of caregiver unexpectedly.

And here's a stark reality: almost half of all caregivers report having no choice at all in taking on this immense responsibility. Think about that for a moment.

Unexpected Burdens, Limited Options, the Crushing Weight of Being the Sole Caregiver, and the Devastating Financial Cliff

For some, it's a seismic shift within a relationship – a partner suddenly needs round-the-clock care. For others, geography dictates their role; they're simply the closest loved one available. Imagine being the only child to an aging parent, or the sole support for a child with complex needs.

The system often compounds this lack of choice. We hear heartbreaking stories of patients discharged from hospitals needing significant medical care, and their loved ones – often with no medical background - weren't even asked if they were willing or able to provide it. And the lack of training or support offered in these situations? It's appalling.

This lack of choice frequently means that caregiving falls squarely on the shoulders of one individual. In fact, studies show that a significant percentage of caregivers - over 40% according to some reports - are the sole caregiver for their loved one. [Again, relying on general caregiving statistics here, as the specific data point wasn't in our provided text, but it's a well-documented trend.] This solitary nature of caregiving amplifies the challenges exponentially.

Think about it: no built-in respite, no one to share the emotional and physical toll, no backup during emergencies. This is the daily reality for a vast number of working caregivers. They aren't just juggling work and care; they are carrying the entire weight of another person's well-being on their own.

Now, consider the catastrophic financial implications of this. For solo caregivers, the lack of choice in becoming a caregiver directly translates to a potential for immense financial loss. The demands of caregiving can become so overwhelming that they are forced to reduce their work hours, take unpaid leave, or leave their jobs altogether. As highlighted in the AARP's March 11, 2025, article, "The Overwhelming Financial Toll of Family Caregiving," caregivers—often thrust into their roles unexpectedly—face significant out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and long-term financial strain. The article poignantly illustrates through personal narratives how becoming the sole provider of care can deplete savings and force drastic life changes, underscoring the severe economic challenges of caregiving when no viable alternatives exist. This financial burden is entirely theirs to bear, pushing many to the brink of economic collapse simply because life presented them with no other option.

The statistics paint a grim picture:

• Many caregivers face significant financial strain, with increased out-of-pocket expenses and lost income, as detailed in the AARP report.

• Solo caregivers are at even higher risk of poverty and financial insecurity.

And even for those "lucky" enough to maintain some level of employment, it's often a precarious balance. The initial lack of choice in becoming a caregiver sets the stage for ongoing workplace challenges:

• Stigma: Negative perceptions from employers and colleagues about their commitment or reliability, often stemming from a lack of understanding of their unavoidable responsibilities.

• Barriers: Inflexible schedules, lack of paid leave, and an absence of workplace accommodations make it nearly impossible to sustain employment long-term, directly impacting their ability to earn and save.

• Lack of Support: Without adequate resources or understanding from their employers, they are constantly on the verge of burnout and job loss, further jeopardizing their financial stability. The absence of mandated accommodations forces many to choose between their livelihood and the well-being of their loved one – a choice they never asked for.

This financial pressure exacerbates the stress and isolation, creating a vicious cycle that harms both the caregiver and the person they care for. The initial "limited choice" in becoming a caregiver sets a trajectory towards potential financial ruin when adequate workplace supports are absent.

And what about those without a strong network of support? Many caregivers lack family nearby, have friends who don't understand the demands, or simply don't have the time or energy to build a support system while navigating the complexities of caregiving and employment. This isolation is unsustainable and further compounds the financial vulnerability, directly stemming from the lack of choice in their caregiving journey.

The Discrimination Against Those With No Choice, No Support, and Facing Financial Ruin – The Colorado CARE Act as a Critical Intervention

This is precisely why workplace inclusivity becomes so critical, and why the Colorado CARE Act is not just about compassion, it's about preventing economic catastrophe for countless Coloradans who had no say in becoming caregivers. When employers, supervisors, and even coworkers fail to consider that many caregivers had absolutely no say in their current reality, often lack any meaningful support network, and are teetering on the edge of financial collapse - a direct consequence of that initial lack of choice - they inadvertently create a system of profound discrimination.

Think about it:

• Employers: By establishing rigid workplace policies that ignore the needs of caregivers, especially solo caregivers, they are actively contributing to their financial instability. The Colorado CARE Act's provisions for reasonable accommodations, as clearly outlined in SECTION 3 (Definitions) and SECTION 4 (Unlawful Acts) of the draft act, are not just about job retention; they are about preventing economic devastation for individuals who were thrust into caregiving roles without a choice, as powerfully illustrated by the AARP article.

• Supervisors: Marginalizing a working caregiver, particularly one who is the sole provider of care and facing financial hardship due to circumstances they didn't choose, is unconscionable and economically short-sighted.

• Coworkers: Tolerating inflexible workplace standards that push solo caregivers closer to the financial brink – a direct consequence of their limited choice in becoming a caregiver – is unacceptable.

The truth is undeniable: a workplace that lacks caregiver inclusivity, especially for those without support and facing economic hardship stemming directly from a lack of choice in their caregiving role, breeds intense stress, exacerbates health issues, and creates a perfect storm of financial ruin for both the caregiver and the person they support. This is why the Colorado CARE Act's focus on establishing family caregivers as a protected class under SECTION 4 (1)(a) of the draft and mandating reasonable accommodations under SECTION 4 (1)(b) is so critical – it's about economic justice as much as workplace fairness for those who never asked for this path.

This isn't just about individual struggles; it's about a systemic failure to recognize and support a substantial and often isolated portion of our workforce, pushing them towards financial catastrophe simply because they answered a call they never anticipated.

The Time for Change is Now.

The "hidden truth" of limited choice in caregiving has far-reaching consequences, impacting not only individual caregivers but our entire society. We cannot continue to ignore the financial devastation and workplace discrimination faced by those who stepped up when a loved one needed them most.

Here's how you can be part of the solution:

• Support the Colorado CARE Act: Contact your state legislators and urge them to support this crucial legislation that will provide vital protections for family caregivers in the workplace. Your voice can make a difference in ensuring its passage through the Colorado General Assembly.

• Join CASI (Caregiver Advocacy and Support Initiative): Become a member and add your voice to our growing movement. Together, we can amplify our advocacy efforts and push for meaningful change in Colorado.

• Engage with Professionals Who Care: Connect with a community of caregivers and allies. Share your story, find support, and learn how you can advocate for a more inclusive workplace.

• Spread Awareness: Share this blog post and the "Hidden Truths" campaign with your network. Help us bring these critical issues out of the shadows and into the light.

The Colorado CARE Act offers a tangible path towards a more just and equitable society for working caregivers. Let's seize this opportunity to care for those who care for others.

Kindly,

Mark Fukae Director of Advocacy Professionals Who Care