Working Caregiver- Caregiver Articles
Elder care is fast replacing childcare as the number one dependent care issue in the workplace. The work/home gap is narrowing and achieving balance between the demands of work and home may be difficult, but it can be done.
Work and Elder Care, Can I Manage Both?
Elder care is fast replacing childcare as the number one dependent care issue in the
workplace. The work/home gap is narrowing and achieving balance between the
demands of work and home may be difficult, but it can be done. There are employers
who offer a wide variety of services to keep employees satisfied and productive on
the job. For example, some employers offer on-site daycare centers, concierge
services, mechanics who service cars while they are in the parking lot, corporate
gyms, etc. It should be no different with eldercare advice and services. Considering
that locating eldercare information and services may take up to 17 hours of factfinding
and searching - usually done while on the job - employers are beginning to
address the need for eldercare assistance for their employees.
Families must begin to plan for their eldercare needs before they actually need
services. If remaining productive on the job is of concern to you, explore your
employer's eldercare benefit now. If your employer does not currently offer an
eldercare benefit, look into your flex-time policy or you may be able to utilize the
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
In the mean time, there are practical things you can do to ease the stress of
working and providing eldercare to a loved one.
- Make a list of what you need help with and when you need it. Decide
what family members can do and what outside services need to be
brought in.
- Get organized. Complete a planning checklist that includes such things
as your loved one's health insurance information, doctor/dentist, current
medications, legal/financial information, bank accounts, burial/funeral
information, etc.
- Consider the level of care needed and whether care can be realistically
provided in the home.
- Review your loved one's insurance policies and determine if any will
cover some costs of care or services.
- Familiarize yourself with community resources near your loved one.
- Talk to your elder loved one's health care provider. He/she may be able
to help you understand what may be needed in the future.
- Pay for a couple of hours worth of consultation with a geriatric care
professional. He/she will be able to assess an individual's situation and
provide a plan that includes information and referral to appropriate
resources.
For more information about geriatric counseling and consultation services,
or to learn more about our corporate eldercare program,
please call Dawn Lakamsani, LMSW-ACP at 512-218-9555
