[How do we manage a balance between caring for family members and employment? : A study on the compatibility between home care and employment at the Alpen-Adria-University].

BACKGROUND: Informal family care is an essential pillar of the healthcare system whilst informal caregivers face the huge challenge of coordinating family, the care situation as well as their employment.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes care situations, associated burdens, challenges and desired support measures experienced by university staff.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 75 people who are currently caring for or have in the past cared for a relative, participated in the online survey.

RESULTS: Informal care, often undertaken at short notice for family members, consumes a lot of time and requires a high amount of flexibility. In 64% of the reported cases the care situation lasted for more than 1 year, while being concealed by one third of the respondents and thus leading to a high risk of burnout.

CONCLUSION: Informal caregivers need support within the social and professional environment by creating an awareness of this growing and unspoken topic.