2. Care Giving and Depression in the Work Place
Dr. Linda Itson
DMIN, MALLPC, CAADC
Catholic Charities
Flint, MI

3. Course Objectives Participants will learn:
The Definition of Care Giving and Depression.
Examples of Care Giving and Depression.
Key Points of Care Giving.
Key Points of Depression.
How to identify Depression in the work place, and how to address it.
The importance of contacting the UAW-GM Work Family Representative.
How confidentiality relates to Care Giving.
The “Sometimes Speech.”
The Do’s and Don’ts of Care Giving and Depression.
How to address Depression in the work place.

4. Lets learn together and have FUN!!!
Ground Rules
Participate at your own comfort level.
Turn off cell phones or put on vibrate.
Be Respectful to others.
Don’t judge others.
Be open and honest.
One person speaks at a time.
Questions are welcomed at anytime.
Lets learn together and have FUN!!!

5. Statement of Purpose
Depression has become one of America’s most costly illness. Left untreated, it is as costly as heart disease or cancer to the U. S. economy, costing over $50 billion dollars in absenteeism (1).
Care giving is not just a social issue, it is a critical workplace issue. Care giving for a relative who has a chronic condition or for an elderly loved one is typically provided for by a family member. Most of these family members are employed. At present, roughly 20 percent of the workforce is estimated to be involved in care giving. (2)
More than half (59%) of the nations unpaid care givers are in the workplace. (3)

6. Definition of Care Giving
Care givers assist persons who need assistance or are unable to care for themselves: the frail, the disabled or the ill.
Care givers perform a wide variety of tasks, such as assisting with:
Grocery shopping
Doctors appointments
Giving medication
Taking baths
Eating
Financial matters

7. Definition of Depression
According to the American Psychological Association, depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.

8. Examples of Depression
Persons experiencing depression have symptoms of:
Fatigue
Memory loss
Irritability
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Weight gain
Isolation

9. Care Giving and Depression in the Work Place
Care givers experiencing depression in the work place may display:
Interruptions at work.
Lower productivity.
Reduced working hours.
Emotional and psychological stress.
Impact on health.
Absenteeism/tardiness.

10. Care Givers and Depression
Attitudes of Care Givers experiencing depression may include:
Being overwhelmed.
Difficulty meeting deadlines.
Unable to receive little or no assistance.
Transportation issues.
In need of medical assistance.

11. Work Place Communications
What to do?
Who to talk to?
Where to go?

12. Depression in the Home
Care givers may experience the following symptoms of depression at home:
Sleep disturbance
Unable to make decisions
Fatigue
Irritability and difficulty concentrating
Waking up at all times of the night
Self pity
Memory loss

13. Depression in the Work Place
Look for these signs of depression in the work place.
Tremors
Memory Loss
Stress
Suicide attempts
Isolation
Productivity loss

14. Contacting the UAW-GM Work-Family Representative
Why contact the Work/Family Rep.?
For communication
To receive assistance
Referrals to agency
Someone to listen

15. Contacting the UAW-GM Work/Family Representative
Who should call the Work/Family Rep.?
A Co-Worker
A Supervisor
A Committee Person
Plant Leadership – Key 4
Plant Medical Dept.

16. Confidentiality – A MUST!!!!
Trust
Meeting the needs of the employee
Personal business

17. Role Play

18. The “Sometimes Speech”
“Sometimes job performance like these are the result of things going on outside the work place. It may or may not be true in your case and its really none of my business. However because it is true, the union and the company have the UAW-GM Work-Family program. It’s free and it’s confidential. It has helped a lot of people with problems.”

19. Don’t Attempt to diagnose. Get emotionally involved.
Use threatening language.
Imply blame or fault.
Ask questions.

20. Do Focus on job performance. Express care and support.
Make it brief and to the point.
Acknowledge that sometimes personal problems can affect job performance.

21. Questions/Comments

22. Thank You for Coming

23. References
1. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services.(2004) When Employees Become Care Givers. Washington D.C., U. S. Government Printing Office.
2. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services.(2004) When Employees Become Care givers. Washington D.C. U. S. Government Printing Office.
3. MetLife Mature Market Institute. (2010 February 2) Mature Market News.