Is your organization leading the way in supporting working caregivers? The New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging (NHAHA) and AARP NH are looking to recognize businesses across the state for building workplaces where employees don’t have to choose between their careers and caring for loved ones.
The need is significant. Every day throughout New Hampshire, thousands of people are quietly balancing two full-time roles: dedicated professional and family caregiver.
For many, that means managing meetings and medical appointments, project deadlines, and prescription refills. It’s a reality affecting workers across industries, and it presents both a challenge and an opportunity for employers.
Caregiving in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, an estimated 281,000 residents serve as family caregivers, 70% of them are employed, and more than half note adjusting their work schedules to meet caregiving responsibilities, according to AARP’s Caregiving in the US 2025: Caring Across States report.
“This report provides the clearest picture yet of who America’s caregivers are, the massive role they play in filling the gaps in the long-term care system, and the substantial effects these responsibilities can have on their finances, mental health, and stress level,” says Christina FitzPatrick, State Director of AARP New Hampshire.
Why Supporting Caregivers Makes Good Business Sense
The data highlights a growing intersection between caregiving and employment—one that has meaningful implications for both workers and businesses. When employers don’t fully recognize the demands of caregiving, employees may have limited options, sometimes needing to reduce hours, take extended leave, or step away from the workforce.
“Caregivers often have to choose between providing care and remaining in the workplace when, in reality, they are needed in both. There are many ways that employers can support caregivers so that they can remain in the workforce longer or not have to leave at all,” explains Jennifer Rabalais, Co-Director, of the Center on Aging and Community Living at UNH and Coordinator of NHAHA.
For example, employers that take steps such as offering flexible scheduling, paid leave, accessible resources, and fostering a culture of understanding often see meaningful benefits. “Supporting caregivers in workplaces is not just about the caregiver. Supporting caregivers can save money for businesses over time by reducing turnover, absenteeism, and stress-related health costs,” says Rabalais.
“Employers who work to create caregiver-inclusive workplaces are better able to recruit and hire diverse talent,” adds FitzPatrick.
Resources for Employers
To translate these benefits into action, NHAHA and AARP offer a range of tools and resources. Through its Caregiving Workgroup, NHAHA has been working to engage business leaders and human resource professionals on caregiver-friendly employment practices by hosting forums and webinars and developing practical education and awareness tools tailored for employers of all sizes.
Additionally, AARP provides practical guides, assessment tools, and best practices in its Employer Resource Center to help organizations build age-friendly, multigenerational, and caregiver-supportive workplaces. From policy review worksheets to workforce planning tools, these resources are designed to help employers take actionable steps.
Recognizing Caregiver-Friendly Workplaces
Together, NHAHA and AARP are working not only to educate employers, but also to recognize those already leading the way. They are seeking to identify and highlight New Hampshire businesses that demonstrate strong caregiver-friendly employment practices, whether through thoughtful policies, practical tools, leadership engagement, or a demonstrated commitment to helping employees balance work and family responsibilities.
If your organization is taking steps — large or small — to support working caregivers, we invite you to nominate your business for recognition. By elevating practical examples from employers across the state, we can strengthen awareness, share replicable strategies, and reinforce that caregiver-friendly workplaces are a strategic advantage in today’s economy. Recognized organizations will be acknowledged in our work across the state and invited to partner with us to share their practices and the firsthand benefits they’ve experienced by supporting caregivers, helping to inspire peers and shape a more supportive workforce for all.
Submit your nomination to Jennifer Rabalais at jennifer.rabalais@unh.edu.
Nomination emails should include your name, business name, business address, industry, and what practices you’re implementing to make your business a caregiver-friendly workplace.