Companies Expand Employee Caregiver Benefits
Staff should review their benefits portal for new care advocacy services and lifestyle accounts to help manage family needs.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Eldercare
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Should employers expand employee benefits to provide support for personal caregiving and family health needs?
Employers are increasingly tailoring employee benefits to provide support for caregivers, ranging from lifestyle savings accounts to one-on-one counseling. These programs aim to help staff manage family health needs, though utilization patterns show disparities across different income levels.
Why it matters
While rising medical costs have recently squeezed overall well-being budgets, younger workers are demanding benefits that prioritize mental and family health. These workplace shifts provide new resources for families navigating the complexities of eldercare and other care responsibilities.
A report on company backup care programs indicates that 50% of employees utilized these services for pet care, highlighting the broad interpretation of family needs. These benefits are increasingly common as part of broader employee assistance programs.
The players
Voya Financial
A financial services firm that provides retirement and investment planning, which now offers one-on-one counseling with care advocates to client employees.
Employee Benefit Research Institute
A non-profit research organization focused on health and retirement issues that recently hosted a forum on caregiving in the workplace.
CareScout
A long-term care advocacy organization that provides information and support for families navigating eldercare and aging services.
The details
Employers are integrating caregiver support by providing access to lifestyle savings accounts and personalized counseling sessions. Through services like those offered by Voya Financial, staff can work with care advocates to navigate the logistical and financial hurdles of family caregiving. These programs allow employees to better balance professional responsibilities with the demands of supporting family members.
Timeline
20 years ago: Caregiving was not part of the standard corporate benefits conversation.
Past decade: Employers significantly increased support for employee mental and family health.
Past few years: Higher medical costs have placed new constraints on employer spending for well-being benefits.
Last six months: CareScout educated associates on navigating financial wellness journeys.
The Home Front
The push for caregiver support follows the dialogue established at the Employee Benefit Research Institute Caregiving at Work Forum regarding the evolving role of employee benefits. This shift marks a notable departure from historical benefit structures that largely ignored household care duties.
Review your current employee handbook or benefits portal to see if your company offers lifestyle savings accounts or access to professional care advocates. If these programs are available, speak with your human resources department to determine exactly which types of caregiving expenses or counseling services are covered.
The takeaway
Workplace benefits are evolving to include more robust support for family caregiving, reflecting the priorities of a modern, multi-generational workforce. Check your company's internal portal this week to confirm if you are eligible for care advocacy services or subsidized lifestyle accounts.
Further reading
Learn more about navigating long-term support for your relatives in our Eldercare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InsuranceNewsNet.
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Should employers expand employee benefits to provide support for personal caregiving and family health needs?
