My caregiving experience started a couple of years ago when my mom got very sick and needed around-the-clock care. In the beginning, I tried to manage it by myself, but it just became too much to handle, both physically and emotionally. I was working from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., going straight to the hospital until 9 p.m., and repeating it all over again the next day.

The support from my employer, Rexall, was almost instantaneous. Both Rexall and my mother’s surgeon encouraged me to take time off to be with my mother, which further validated my decision to do so. I was so grateful to be able to focus on caregiving without the added stress of balancing work obligations. Rexall gave me the flexibility I needed to be with my mother, advocate for her and make arrangements for her care.

I was also encouraged to take part in very helpful programs through Rexall. One of these programs allowed me to seek professional support throughout my caregiving journey. In addition, I had a lot of familial support with my two sisters who were a big part of my mother’s care team. We were able to be there for each other emotionally and share the workload to prevent any of us from burning out.

With the aging population and the cost of extended caregiving both increasing, employers need to ensure that they are offering their staff the right support. In turn, employers will receive immense value through staff loyalty and the knowledge they bring to work every day.