by journalist Jonathan Rauch (April 2010, Atlantic Magazine).

This article is a compelling story of the author’s experiences entering into and managing the care of his aging father as he continued to maintain a productive role in his profession.  Near the end of his article he states emphatically:  “…today’s invisible caregivers face their own version of a nameless problem. They are being asked to do alone and out of sight what in fact requires not just private sympathy and toleration but public acknowledgment and proactive assistance.”

He also shares a common concern:  “I can say, from experience, that convincing caregivers they need help is not easy, at least not until they need it too much. Americans pride themselves on resilience and independence. We don’t want to burden others with our problems.”

Jonathan Rauch has this advice for employers.  “A few big companies, realizing that caregiving responsibilities drain employees’ time and productivity, are making available seminars like Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six-week course on subjects like “Taking Care of You” and “Mastering Caregiving Decisions.” That seems like exactly the right idea.”