by Carolyn Dowdy

Family caregiving is a quiet, often invisible burden, yet it touches nearly every household. As the founder and president of Caregiver Mental Wellness, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, I bring over sixteen years of family caregiving experience and a career as a retired Vice President of HR and Training. My journey has illuminated the unique struggles family caregivers face every day—struggles often hidden from coworkers and loved ones due to fear of judgment or job security concerns.

The balancing act of caregiving while managing a career can take an emotional and physical toll, as I discovered during my time managing two aging parents while navigating the pressures of a start-up bank. Many family caregivers, myself included, are unaware of the toll caregiving takes until it’s too late. The chronic stress can lead to burnout, illness, and even addiction, as I learned firsthand during my own caregiving journey.

“When Retirement Dreams Fade: The Journey of a Caregiving Spouse”
A decade after my parents passed, my husband suffered a massive stroke, forcing me into full-time caregiving once again. Our retirement dreams evaporated, and I transitioned from a partner to a caregiver, mourning the loss of our past life together. It was during this period that I truly understood the weight of caregiver burnout. Despite my best efforts, the system offered little help, and I had to search for my own answers to sustain my well-being. This led me to realize the dire need for resources, support, and advocacy for caregivers.

“Caregiver Mental Wellness: Our Mission to Mitigate Burnout Through Awareness, Education, Advocacy, and Creating Caring Workplaces”
Caregiver Mental Wellness was born out of this personal struggle. Our mission is to address family caregiver burnout through various initiatives, including awareness campaigns, educational programs, and advocacy efforts. We work to create compassionate workplace cultures where caregivers can thrive without fear of judgment or career setbacks.

Among our key challenges are that half of caregivers don’t even identify as such—they see themselves as spouses, children, or friends. Guilt and fear of judgment often prevent caregivers from seeking the help they need, leading to chronic stress, burnout, and even serious health consequences. We advocate for cultural shifts in both families and businesses to better support the caregivers among us.

“The Caregiver Crisis: Why Businesses and Communities Must Act Now”
The statistics are sobering. As the “sandwich generation” grows—those who care for both aging parents and children—the challenges for caregivers intensify. According to a 2023 AFLAC report, 52% of U.S. workers report moderate burnout, and post-COVID studies show that family caregivers make up 43% of the U.S. population, with 70% experiencing stress and anxiety. As 73 million baby boomers age into their senior years, the need for caregiver support will only increase.

University City is poised for growth, but businesses and communities must adapt to the evolving needs of their workforce. Addressing the caregiver crisis will be key to attracting and retaining top talent while promoting a healthier, more compassionate community. The time to act is now, and I encourage you to partner with Caregiver Mental Wellness to help tackle this critical social issue.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, contact me, Carolyn Dowdy, at cdowdy@caregivermentalwellness.com. Together, we can create a better future for caregivers, their families, and the businesses that depend on them.