Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees

Written by: Selma Archer & Zack Demopoulos
  • Summary

  • Did you know that in 2020 there were 53 million caregivers in the United States? By 2025, this number is expected to significantly expand to 62.5 million. 73% of these individuals have to juggle the responsibilities of working a job while being a caregiver. They are called “working caregivers” and are often referred to as “invisible” because they typically remain silent about their caregiving challenges. Nor do they seek help from their colleagues at work or their managers, choosing to face alone the negative financial, physical, mental and emotional impacts that being a working caregiver often presents.

    Employers, you have a tremendous opportunity to support the working caregivers in your workforce. "Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees" is a podcast that will show you how. Hosted by Selma Archer and Zack Demopoulos, authors of a book with the same name, this series dives deep into the challenges and opportunities faced by working caregivers and their employers.

    Whether you are in the C-suite, a leader, HR, or a working caregiver yourself, "Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees" is a podcast for you. We address the pressing issues of retaining talent, managing productivity, and creating a supportive workplace culture. Learn how to provide meaningful benefits, understand the costs and implications of caregiving on healthcare, and foster an environment that values and supports your employees through their caregiving journey. We can all help make meaningful differences in the lives of employees who work and care for others.

    Tune in every other Tuesday to gain insights, practical tips, and heartfelt discussions that aim to solve the unique problems working caregivers encounter. Don’t forget to visit our website, invisibleemployeeadvocates.com, to subscribe to our newsletter, and purchase our book to learn how we can help you strengthen your workplace to become more supportive of working caregivers.

    © 2025 Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees
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Episodes
  • How Compassionate Policies Transform Workplaces and Lives with Dr. Gina Anderson
    Jan 28 2025

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Gina Anderson, a learning scientist and advocate for working caregivers. Join us as we explore her personal caregiving journey, her groundbreaking compassionate care policy, and the profound ripple effects such policies can have on workplaces and beyond. Dr. Anderson shares her experience of caregiving for her mother while balancing the demands of running a business, offering practical advice and inspiration for employers and caregivers alike. We also dive into how businesses can create a culture of support and trust, the importance of human connection in the workplace, and Dr. Anderson’s work in behavioral learning and safety with her company, Luma Brighter Learning.

    Dr. Gina Anderson is on a mission to help motor carriers grow their safety culture through meaningful learning that inspires and engages employees. She has focused her attention on studying how adults best learn for more than twenty-five years, consistently growing her methodology by engaging in the trucking industry and learning professionals. Gina is the CEO of Luma Brighter Learning, an award-winning company that provides an enterprise learning management system (LMS) tailored to the transportation and logistics industry. With a focus on maximizing safety, ensuring compliance, and boosting employee retention, Luma supports the entire organization with individualized coaching programs, customizable content, digital forms, compliance reporting tools, and unlimited secure file storage. She routinely publishes new, measurable, science-based techniques specifically focused on adult learning to help companies improve their safety scores and uphold compliance.

    Episode Highlights:

    [3:03] – Dr. Anderson shares a beautiful tradition from her Charleston community and reflects on its connection to hope and resilience.

    [4:37] – Dr. Anderson recounts her caregiving journey, balancing her role as a daughter and business owner while caring for her mother.

    [12:33] – Discussion on Dr. Anderson’s Inc. Magazine article about implementing compassionate care policies and their impact on employees and families.

    [18:44] – How Luma Brighter Learning is revolutionizing behavior change and safety in the transportation industry.

    [24:30] – Changes in workplace culture after implementing the compassionate care policy and the importance of building trust and transparency.

    [31:26] – Dr. Anderson introduces her upcoming book Thrive: How Learning Can Ignite a New Way Forward and its focus on reconnecting and thriving in life.

    [33:55] – How to connect with Dr. Anderson and access her resources for learning and mental well-being.

    Links & Resources:

    • Inc article: This Unexpected Gift Will Make Employees Happier. Dec. 16, 2024 by Dr. Gina Anderson. https://www.inc.com/dr-gina-anderson/this-unexpected-gift-will-make-employees-happier/91066321
    • Website: https://www.learningwithgina.com/
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-anderson-luma/
    • Luma Brighter Learning: https://lumabrighterlearning.com/
    • Book: Thrive: How Learning Can Ignite A New Way Forward https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dr.-Gina-Anderson/author/B0CP1HQRLH?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

    If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to

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    35 mins
  • Jason Resendez on Caregiver Advocacy and Workplace Culture
    Jan 7 2025

    In this episode we welcome Jason Resendez, a leading advocate in the caregiving and Alzheimer's space, to the podcast. Together, we discuss the critical challenges facing working caregivers and how systemic changes can create supportive environments both in the workplace and in society. Jason shares his personal caregiving journey, the groundbreaking advocacy work of the National Alliance for Caregiving, and practical tips for employees and employers navigating caregiving responsibilities. From public policy changes to personal empowerment, this conversation sheds light on the invisible struggles and triumphs of working caregivers. Plus, Jason provides a sneak peek into the 2025 "Caregiving in the U.S." study, offering a glimpse into the future of caregiving data and trends.

    Jason Resendez is a nationally recognized caregiving advocate. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, where he leads research, policy, and programmatic initiatives to build health, wealth, and equity for America’s 53 million family caregivers. In 2023, Jason was named one of the most consequential leaders in health and medicine by STAT News. Prior to joining NAC, Jason was the founding executive director of the Us Against Alzheimer’s Center for Brain Health Equity where he pioneered the concept of Brain Health Equity through peer-reviewed research, public health partnerships, and public policy. In 2020, Jason was name done of America’s top influencers in aging by PBS’s Next Avenue alongside Michael J. Fox and Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. He has been quoted by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, STAT News, and Univision on issues related to caregiving and health equity. Jason is from South Texas and graduated from Georgetown University.

    Episode Highlights:

    [1:07] - Introduction to Jason Resendez and his advocacy work for caregivers.
    [5:00] - Jason’s personal caregiving story and its influence on his career.
    [10:58] - The creation and impact of the Caregiver Summit.
    [17:32] - Insights into Alzheimer's and the intersection with caregiving.
    [22:27] - Credible resources for addressing early signs of dementia.
    [24:58] - Preview of the upcoming 2025 "Caregiving in the U.S." study and its significance.
    [29:20] - How employers can support working caregivers and real-world examples.
    [34:02] - Advice for employees: Navigating conversations about caregiving with managers.
    [38:07] - A challenge to employers to create a culture of caregiving.

    Links & Resources:

    • National Alliance for Caregiving: https://www.caregiving.org/
    • Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/
    • BrainGuide by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s: https://mybrainguide.org/
    • AARP Caregiving Resources: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/
    • Jason Resendez LInkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonresendez/
    • Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 (NAC and AARP report):
    • Year end review Working Caregivers-The Invisible Employees Newsletter
    • National Alliance for Caregiving and Caregiver Summit Nation focus newsletter by Working Caregivers-The Invisible Employees

    If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review. Remember to check out our website at

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    40 mins
  • How to Create a Caregiver-Friendly Workplace with Amy Goyer
    Dec 17 2024

    In this episode, we welcome Amy Goyer, a nationally renowned caregiving advocate, author, and consultant. Amy shares her journey from music therapy to becoming a voice for caregivers everywhere. We’ll explore the invisible challenges working caregivers face and how employers can create meaningful change.

    Tune in to hear Amy’s insights on advocacy, the power of storytelling, and how employers can foster flexibility and support for working caregivers. This is a conversation filled with wisdom, humor, and actionable advice that you won’t want to miss!

    Episode Highlights

    [3:05] - Fun Fact Spotlight: Amy shares her childhood story and her journey into music therapy.

    [6:00] - Music & Caregiving: How Amy used music therapy to support her grandmother and father.

    [8:11] - Becoming a Caregiving Advocate: Amy’s path from music therapist to leading caregiving advocate.

    [10:00] - Family Caregiving Roles: Amy explains how her role as a caregiver shifted over time within her family.

    [16:35] - Paid Family Leave: Why paid leave matters and how AARP is pushing for better policies.

    [20:00] - Policy Challenges: The obstacles in making paid family leave a reality nationwide.

    [23:09] - Flexible Work for Caregivers: How workplace flexibility benefits employees and employers alike.

    [27:29] - HR & Workplace Culture: How companies can support caregivers through better workplace culture.

    [30:00] - Employer Tips: Amy’s best advice for employers to support caregiving employees.

    [35:00] - Caregiver Tips & Advice: Actionable tips for caregivers to balance work, family, and self-care.

    [40:00] - Resources & How to Connect: Where to find Amy’s book, articles, and caregiving support resources.

    [44:22] - Closing Remarks: Selma and Zack thank Amy and challenge listeners to explore caregiving resources.

    Links & Resources

    • Amy’s Website: http://amygoyer.com/joomla/
    • AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aarpfamilycaregivers
    • Amy’s Book: “Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving”:https://www.amazon.com/Juggling-Life-Work-Caregiving-Goyer/dp/1634251636/
    • Amy’s YouTube Series: https://www.youtube.com/@amygoyer/playlists
    • Amy & AARP: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/experts/info-2019/amy-goyer.html

    Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. Together, we can raise awareness and create a more supportive workplace for working caregivers. Be sure to check out our website, Invisible Employee Advocates, to subscribe to our newsletter, purchase our book, and stay connected. See you in the next episode!

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    45 mins

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