The MetLife Study of Working Caregivers and
Employer Health Care Costs

Key Findings

• The estimated average additional health cost to employers is 8% more for those with eldercare responsibilities. 
  

• This differential in health care for caregiving employees is estimated, conservatively, as costing U.S. employers $13.4 billion per year.
  

• Employees providing eldercare were more likely to report fair or poor health, and are more likely to report depression, diabetes, hypertension, or pulmonary disease
  

Graphics

Methodology

Data used in this case study come from a single, large corporate employer headquartered in the northeast U.S. The company is a leading manufacturer with offices and affiliates worldwide. While the company has a global reach, this study is limited to the 17,097 U.S. employees who provided data in the company’s health risk appraisal (HRA) questionnaire.

This HRA is a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire that approximately 75% of employees completed on their corporate Web site. HRA data are managed by an independent company, which developed the appraisal for a
number of large corporations worldwide, and uses data to establish benchmarks for health care and occupational safety. This study limited analyses to standard HRA indicators of disease status, health behaviors, and socio-demographic indicators.

HRA data used in this analysis were collected from 17,097 employees between 2000 and 2007. The bulk of the data was provided by 12,764 employees who completed the HRA between 2005 and 2007.

Related Content

Research & Studies

Sons at Work: Balancing Employment and Eldercare
The MetLife Caregiving Cost Study: Productivity Losses to U.S. Business
Miles Away: The MetLife Study of Long-Distance Caregiving

Other Resources

Since You Care: Family Caregiving
Ten Tips for Talking to Your Aging Parents
Retirement Planning