The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that employees ages 45 to 64will make up a full third of the workforce by next year. Along withjob responsibilities, many in this age group also juggle familycaregiving responsibilities. According to a study by the Universityof Florida, one in 10 American workers is a caregiver, which meansthat almost 16 million Americans are trying to balance working andcaregiving.

The demands that go along with caregiving affect employeeproductivity, and as caregivers themselves begin to age, it willonly get harder to maintain that delicate balance between workingand caring for their family members.

Absenteeism, workplace interruptions and care crises due tocaregiving duties contributes to a $29 billion loss each year inproductivity for businesses, according to a National Alliance ofCaregiving/AARP study funded by MetLife.

Caregiving employees are also more costly, as they suffer morestress-related illnesses, and in turn rely more on the company'shealth care plan.

Some workers, about 10 percent, feel forced to choose betweenfamily and work and had to quit their jobs. Eleven percent ofemployees who are caregivers took a leave of absence, and 7 percentworked fewer hours. Three percent turned down promotions.

Having to quit a job or even cut back on work hours has seriousfinancial and emotional effects for these caregiving employees. Ifthe caregiver has his or her own family, caring for more membersputs a strain on the entire household, and caregivers who enjoytheir jobs may become depressed and lonely after quitting.