Listening, Learning, Leading: Advocating for Caregivers in Every Workplace
Nicole Reimer, MSN, RN, OCN, ACS LION™, Director, Oncology Nurse Navigator, Transcarent
“Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn't know was possible," Tia Walker.
Caregivers play a vital role in monitoring symptoms or changes in condition, coordinating care with healthcare professionals, and maintaining the health, dignity, and emotional well-being of the individual they are supporting. Effective caregivers can offer comfort, reassurance, and companionship help to reduce feelings of loneliness, fear, or anxiety.
A caregiver is an individual who assists another person with essential daily tasks such as personal care, mobility, meal preparation, attending medical appointments, or medication management due to short or long-term limitations caused by illness, injury, or disability. This support may come from informal caregivers, like family members or friends, or formal caregivers, such as nurses or home health aides.
To me, National Family Caregivers Month is a time to honor the quiet strength and unconditional love that I’ve witnessed from caregivers in my role as an ACS LION™ Oncology Nurse Navigator. Over the years, I have been personally inspired by how caregivers advocate, comfort, and devote so much of themselves to their loved ones experiencing a cancer diagnosis.
This month should serve as a reminder that caregivers deserve care, compassion, and a safe space to emotionally recharge. Please join me in recognizing and showing appreciation to those who demonstrate countless unseen acts of courage by helping support those with chronic illness, a disability, or who are advancing in age.
Caregivers: The Unseen Backbone of Healing
Last fall, at Transcarent, we conducted a study to better understand the employee experience with cancer. We interviewed over 1,300 people who were either caregivers of people with cancer, or who were diagnosed with cancer. In our study, 57.3% of caregivers were male and 42.7% were female. Most were caring for a parent between the ages of 50 and 74, navigating the complexities of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The study reinforced that while caregiving can be fulfilling, it can also come with challenges. It often places a significant strain on individuals, affecting many aspects of their lives from physical health to emotional well-being and financial stability. Between balancing someone’s care in addition to their own, many caregivers face diverse challenges and need help navigating them.
The emotional weight of caregiving is real, and it's okay to acknowledge how hard it can be. We learned:
34% of caregivers said their own emotional health was the most difficult aspect to manage.
50% reported significantly high levels of emotional stress.
Nearly half of cancer caregivers faced serious financial strain due to the costs associated with treatment, time off work, and caregiving responsibilities.
This ongoing pressure can lead to heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, compounding the emotional toll of caregiving and affecting both their mental health and their ability to provide care.
Supporting the Supporters: What Employers Can Do
Caregivers often carry invisible burdens, balancing professional responsibilities with the emotional and physical demands of supporting a loved one. Caregiving has an impact on the workplace; here are some insights employers should understand:
72% of caregivers continued working after their loved one’s diagnosis.
62% of caregivers found it difficult to concentrate at work.
39% reported experiencing judgment or negative perceptions in the workplace.
74% of caregivers believed their work experience would have improved if managers had specialized training in supporting employees affected by cancer.
So, how can employers help?
Accommodations like flexible scheduling and time off for medical appointments.
Address the barrier of workplace stigma through education and awareness.
Invest in compassionate leadership that fosters flexibility and trust.
Provide training for people leaders
Caregivers shouldn’t have to choose between showing up for their loved ones and showing up for work. When leaders are equipped with empathy and the right tools, the workplace can become a safe space for all.
Caregivers Need Care Too
In our study, 87% of caregivers said they would feel more loyal to their employer if they offered benefits like early detection tools, expert second opinions, virtual care, and workplace support.
This is exactly what we’re doing at Transcarent. Our comprehensive Cancer Care Experience walks with caregivers along every step on their journey. As an Oncology Nurse Navigator, I have the privilege of guiding caregivers through what can be the most vulnerable and difficult times in their lives. Drawing from my deep understanding of the cancer journey, I strive to support, educate, and advocate for each caregiver, empowering them to support the voice of the individual they are nurturing. The heart of oncology nursing is connection, being present, listening, and bringing light to the darkest moments.
Thank You Caregivers: You’re Seen, Valued, and Never Alone
To all the caregivers out there: thank you for embodying unwavering strength, compassion, and dedication, whether you're supporting loved ones through life-changing diagnoses or helping others manage everyday tasks. Your journey is filled with emotional and complex decisions, and we want you to know we see you, we thank you, and you are not alone.
You are a vital part of the healthcare system, ensuring others receive the care they need. That’s why it’s important that you have access to care and support, too. Together, let’s make sure every caregiver feels seen, supported, and empowered. Your care makes all the difference, and we’re here to care for you.
Source:
1. Transcarent & Survey Monkey. (2024). Understanding the Employee Experience with Cancer. In Transcarent. Transcarent. Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://cdn.brandfolder.io/XYKTEWQA/as/2zxt99qcbtpfv8krhtw4666/Commercial_Deck_-_Cancer_Survey_Report.pdf
