The population is aging, public funding is stretched, and families are having to step in.
The Family Resources Survey estimates there are 5.4 million informal carers in 2023/24. These numbers highlight the scale of unpaid care provided, with millions of individuals supporting family members and friends, particularly the elderly. A significant proportion of these carers will be working for SMEs (in 2024, SMEs employed 16.6 million people in the UK).
The number of working carers is set to rise; SMEs will need to be prepared.
What SMEs can do
An eldercare strategy will help organisations retain valued employees (especially women 45-60), maintain productivity, and reduce staff turnover costs in the years ahead.
Eldercare requires a different approach to childcare. It is complex, difficult to plan for, and often it’s not local. It can also be hidden; we are aware of our colleagues’ children, but not necessarily their elderly relatives. This means that employees won’t always identify as carers or know how to ask for help.
We have produced a guide specifically designed for SMEs using a low-admin practical approach.
Benefits for early adopters
The long-term winners are SMEs that address the issue early and engage in an ongoing conversation with their employees about the support they need.
Benefits:
- Retention of experienced staff in at-risk roles
- Reduction in last-minute absences
- Improved focus and productivity
- Lower stress levels and improved work-life balance
- A more loyal workforce
Two Generations SME Homeshare model
Two Generations helps employers support working carers through Homeshare, a managed, safeguarding-first service that provides reliable, affordable support at home for employees’ older relatives. Designed for 50-300 employees, our SME model has UK-wide access, an annual management fee, and a 50% employee discount for those who use the scheme.
Contact us for a consultation.
