More than half of working caregivers balancing care for children and aging parents — known as the “sandwich generation” — are at high risk of burnout, with nearly two-thirds screening positive for depression and anxiety, according to a new report.
The second annual Family Health Index, released April 7 by Cleo, a global family care platform, analyzed responses from over 12,500 working caregivers employed by U.S.-based multinational companies. It found that 64 per cent of sandwich generation caregivers reported significant mental health strain, underscoring the growing challenge employers face in addressing caregiving demands.
The Family Health Index is designed to identify employees at risk of burnout early, offering targeted support before situations escalate to crisis levels. Cleo said its assessment revealed particularly high burnout rates among caregivers facing complex family health issues. Parents caring for neurodivergent children had the highest reported burnout rate at 65 per cent, followed by caregivers supporting family members with chronic conditions (61 per cent), end-of-life journeys (57 per cent), and cancer diagnoses (55 per cent).
“Understanding the complex needs of those caregiving for children, adults, or both simultaneously is crucial for providing them with necessary coaching and navigational support,” said Cleo CEO Dr. Madhavi Vemireddy. “The lack of resources leaves many struggling in isolation. This creates a vicious cycle—caregivers ultimately require care for themselves, and the entire family suffers as a result.”
The growing caregiver crisis also has financial implications for employers. Workers at high risk of burnout reported losing an average of 11.4 weeks of productivity annually per caregiver, translating to an estimated $3.8 million in lost productivity per 1,000 employees.
“A population health solution personalized to families’ needs is critical to address the caregiving crisis,” said Dr. Iver Juster, a physician health economist. “Cleo is able to proactively support caregivers across complex journeys, identify and stop issues before they hit a crisis point, and improve health and workforce-related outcomes.”
Effective interventions
According to Cleo, the most effective interventions include early risk identification and personalized support plans. Among caregivers identified as high risk, 70 per cent improved their overall scores on the Family Health Index after intervention. Additionally, 64 per cent of those who initially screened positive for depression and anxiety showed improvements after targeted support. Cleo also noted increased confidence, emotional wellness, connection to support systems, and greater dedication to self-care among participants.
With the number of older adults requiring care on the rise, employers and healthcare plans are increasingly challenged to address this demographic’s needs. Caregiver health significantly impacts healthcare costs, particularly related to mental health services and chronic conditions like hypertension and heart disease.
Cost savings
Cleo estimated potential savings of approximately $2,888 per caregiver for employers addressing cancer care, which remains the top driver of healthcare costs for about half of employers surveyed.
“As the population ages, employers and health plans need to begin addressing this growing portion of their constituency, whose health and well-being impact healthcare costs,” Vemireddy said.
