Alzheimer's Awareness: Supporting Colleagues with Family Members Living with Alzheimer’s: Top 5 Tips for the Workplace

September marks World Alzheimer's Month, a time to raise awareness of the global impact of Alzheimer's disease. While much of the conversation focuses on supporting those living with the condition, it is equally important to recognise the effect it has on family members - particularly those balancing caregiving responsibilities with their careers. Employees caring for a parent, spouse, or other loved ones with Alzheimer's often experience emotional strain, disrupted schedules, and increased stress levels, all of which can impact their wellbeing and work performance.

As a workplace, showing empathy and providing appropriate support can make a significant difference. By fostering a culture of understanding, employers not only help employees navigate a challenging time in their personal lives but also strengthen employee engagement, loyalty, and productivity.

Here are Tyfu Learning's top five tips for supporting colleagues who have a family member with Alzheimer's:

1. Encourage Open Conversations

The first step in providing support is to create a culture where employees feel safe sharing their situation without fear of stigma. Managers should be approachable and trained to listen with empathy. A simple conversation can help you understand what the employee is going through and allow them to feel seen and valued. Confidentiality is key - employees should trust that what they share will not affect their job security or progression.

2. Offer Flexible Working Options

Caregiving responsibilities can be unpredictable. Providing flexibility - such as remote working options, adjustable start and finish times, or compressed workweeks - can relieve some of the pressure employees face. Even small accommodations can make a huge difference in helping employees manage medical appointments, emergencies, or simply the emotional toll of caring for a loved one.

3. Promote Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

Caring for a family member with Alzheimer's can be emotionally draining, leading to stress, anxiety, or burnout. Ensure employees are aware of any wellbeing resources available, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), counselling services, or mental health first aiders. Regularly communicate that seeking help is encouraged and not a sign of weakness.

4. Provide Training for Managers

Managers play a critical role in supporting employees. Training managers to recognise the signs of caregiver stress, handle sensitive conversations, and signpost to support services will improve outcomes for everyone. Managers should also be encouraged to check in regularly with employees who are carers, offering understanding and flexibility where possible.

5. Create a Supportive Workplace Community

Fostering peer-to-peer support can be powerful. Consider forming employee resource groups or networks where caregivers can share experiences, advice, and encouragement. Simply knowing that they are not alone can make a big difference for employees facing similar challenges.

Supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities is not just the compassionate thing to do - it is also good for business. By encouraging open communication, offering flexibility, promoting mental health resources,, training managers, and creating supportive networks, employers can help employees balance work and caregiving demands more effectively. This leads to greater job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and a healthier, more engaged workforce.

Resources for Further Support:

• Alzheimer’s Society UK – www.alzheimers.org.uk: Information and resources for carers and families.

• Carers UK – www.carersuk.org: Guidance for working carers and employers.

• Mind – www.mind.org.uk: Mental health support for those under stress or anxiety.

• NHS Every Mind Matters – www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters: Tips and tools to support mental wellbeing.

• ACAS – www.acas.org.uk: Advice on flexible working rights and workplace policies.