The care role of the caregiver is increasingly valued in a modern society, dictated by frenetic and tight rhythms.
Today, in Italy, this role is often performed by family members, friends or acquaintances, who take care of people who are not self-sufficient, elderly or chronically ill, without receiving any compensation.
Despite this, we are talking about a figure of primary importance for families and the welfare system , as a support for health and social services.
In recent years, there has been much discussion about the need to better recognize and support caregivers, who often face financial, emotional, and time management difficulties.
There is not yet a single national law that fully recognizes this role, but there are regional and municipal initiatives that can provide benefits and contributions.
Within such a context, Corporate Welfare cannot help but keep pace with the times: let's see how and why the role of the caregiver also has to do with the work and social context.
What does “Caregiver” mean and what is its role?
The English term “ caregiver ”, which can be literally translated as “one who offers care” , refers to the family assistant or “ caregiver ”.
A caregiver is a person who takes care of (even if only for a temporary period of time) someone who needs support due to health reasons, disability, advanced age or other difficulties .
The term includes both those who provide care at a professional level, such as health and social workers, and those who do so in the family setting, often without receiving any remuneration.
The activities of a caregiver are very unstable and can range from daily assistance (such as personal hygiene and medication administration) to psychological support and management of medical visits.
Origin of the concept and figure of the caregiver
The figure of the family assistant began to be recognized starting from the end of the 80s, especially in Anglo-Saxon countries, absolute precursors in systematically addressing the need for support of those who assist elderly or disabled people.
In Italy, however, the caregiver has begun to receive greater attention only in recent decades, thanks also to a series of regulations and incentives, such as the caregiver bonus, which we will discuss in more detail later.
Types of caregivers
Caregivers are divided into different categories, depending on the relationship with the person being cared for and the type of care provided.
A family caregiver is someone who takes care of a member of their family. (This role is often played by spouses, children, or other close relatives.)
The professional caregiver is instead a health or social worker who receives compensation in exchange for his or her care service.
an “informal caregiver” is defined as someone who offers support to people with whom they do not necessarily have family ties, a role that has become increasingly widespread, especially among young people, in recent years.
The main distinction between the different types of caregivers is therefore whether or not it can be considered a real job .
So, speaking about work, let's focus more on the role of Welfare in this sense...
Caregivers and Welfare
Integrating caregiver support among the services available through Corporate Welfare is a growing trend, with the aim of contributing to improving the quality of life of employees, but also to create a more inclusive working environment that is attentive to personal needs.
These benefits can take many forms, including flexible hours, paid or unpaid leave, access to support services, and/or state-provided bonuses.
Through Welfare, companies can support employees with care responsibilities , improving well-being at work and increasing productivity.
Family caregivers face significant challenges every day as they balance work and personal life while providing care to elderly or ill family members, and corporate support can make a difference.
A Corporate Welfare program oriented towards caregivers could include among other things:
● flexible hours and smart working
Allowing caregivers to manage their work schedules flexibly or work remotely can reduce stress, allowing for better time management.
● Contributions for assistance
Some companies offer vouchers for home care services, discounts on nursing facilities, or agreements with support services.
● Psychological assistance and counseling
Providing a counseling service or a counseling center can help manage the stress and emotional difficulties associated with caring for family members.
● Training for caregivers
Specific training programs can provide useful skills for care management, supporting employees also on a practical and informative level.
● Special permits and paid leave
In addition to the leaves provided by law, some companies offer additional paid leave for family emergencies, demonstrating an empathetic approach, with particular attention to the needs of the staff.
Even through these tools, a good Corporate Welfare plan aims to support the employee, drawing positive effects on his motivation and sense of belonging, and contributing to the company's reputation as an employer attentive to the well-being of its workers.
Caregiver Bonus: What is it and who can apply for it?
The caregiver bonus is a financial benefit, intended for those who take care of family members with disabilities or serious health conditions.
Family caregivers often give up job opportunities and/or are forced to sacrifice their free time and invest their economic resources to ensure that their loved ones receive the necessary assistance.
Generally speaking, to access the caregiver bonus , it is necessary to:
● be resident in Italy;
● take care of a person with a disability, with certification attesting to its severity;
● submit an updated ISEE declaration, which certifies the economic situation of both the caregiver and the person being assisted.
In the specific case of the family caregiver , who takes care of a relative with a disability or invalidity, in most cases additional requirements are also necessary, such as:
● cohabitation with the person being cared for;
● degree of direct kinship, up to the 3rd degree.
Even retired caregivers can access the bonus, but with further restrictions:
● the former worker must be primarily responsible for caring for the disabled person.
● The pension must not exceed a certain amount (which can be found in the annual regulations).
Caregiver bonus: amount 2024/2025
The value of the caregiver bonus may vary based on the family's economic situation and regional regulations.
Currently, for the two-year period 2024-2025, the maximum amount that can be paid out is approximately €1,200 per year , but it is essential to check the specifications of the call, since some regions offer greater contributions or additional measures for family caregivers.
In addition to financial support, many caregivers also require health care to deal with the physical and emotional stress that comes with their role.
Some companies therefore provide psychological support paths [ 1] or facilitated access to medical care, specifically for caregivers, to ensure a constant and safe quality of care.
How to get the caregiver bonus?
To request the caregiver bonus you must first:
- submit all necessary documentation , including disability certificates and ISEE declaration.
- Request access to the bonus by physically going to the municipality of residence or the INPS headquarters or by applying online, through the INPS website.
You can contact a labor consultant or a CAF to ensure that the application is complete and that the correct bureaucratic procedure is followed.
Integrating caregiver support into Corporate Welfare is not only a form of inclusiveness , but also represents an investment in the sustainability of the company's human resources.
This is also a way to repay those who play such a crucial role and to valorize a component of society that is often invisible but indispensable.