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Respite Care Articles Elder
care taxes resources USA Today By Stephanie Armour Employers are bracing for a rise in employees who care for aging family members, a shift expected to tax resources now used mainly by working parents for child care. The change will leave more workers using employer-sponsored programs like flexible hours and job sharing. The number of firms offering specific elder-care programs already has surged since 1991. "It's a big issue, and it's going to get bigger," said Suzanne Mintz, president of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) in Kensington, Md. "We're going to see more varied workplace situations. Just look at how many baby boomers there are." Elder care will top child care as a major concern for employees, based on a 1998 survey of corporate executives by the Conference Board, a nonprofit business membership and research network. The number of Americans 65 and older will jump from 34 million in 1995 to 62 million by 2025. It's a major issue for employers, who already lose an estimated $ 11.4 billion a year in productivity drains because of elder care. But programs that are one-size-fits-all may fall short. Those with aging parents face unique hurdles: * Depression. A new study of about 2,300 caregivers by the NFCA and Fortis Long Term Care found more than 60 percent of adult children caring for aging parents suffered from depression. They suffer sleeplessness, headaches, back pain and other health conditions linked to depression. "It's not the joy of watching a child grow. It's the reverse," said Cindy Fowler, a graphic designer in Rockville, Md., who cared for her aging mother in her home. "It's a long, slow grieving process. You wind up feeling exhausted." Her mother, who had Parkinson's disease, died two years ago. CDual stresses. Employees hardest hit are often among the "sandwich generation," a catch-all name for those generally in their 50s with children in the home and aging parents in need of care. The ranks of such workers are growing as more Americans delay parenthood until later in life. CUnexpected
demands. Workers with children cope with ongoing demands, while
those with aging parents must often contend with unexpected emergencies. CIsolation. Many who provide care have no health-care training, receive scant help and are unaware of what services their employers offer. The NFCA study found less than one in four adull children caring for a parent gets help from other family members. And while employees may swap tales about their children, many feel awkward sharing difficult stories about aging parents. "People don't speak as much about elder care in the workplace, but it is a distraction," said Deborah Parkinson, research associate at the Conference Board. "A lot of times, employees just need to know they can talk about these issues and get referral and help from others." Some employers are offering a smorgasbord of programs, many geared toward those who have elder-care needs. Companies with elder-care programs grew from 13 percent in 1991 to 30 percent in 1996, the Conference Board reports. There are dependent-care accounts, which let employees squirrel away tax-free funds that help to pay for elderly parents who receive care in their homes. Long-term care insurance can be used to cover costs related to nursing homes or in-home health care for an aging parent. There are also other programs like seminars, flexible schedules, counseling and resource and referral. Even with an array of resources, some employees say juggling work and care for an elderly parent is still a Herculean task. Nedra Campbell, 63, of Chicago retired early from the post office in part to care for her 92-year-old mother. Like a mother worried about her child being left alone, Campbell says she fretted when she couldn't be home. "I was gone eight hours a day," Campbell said. "I came home one day and she was sitting in the middle of the floor where she'd fallen. She said, 'I knew you'd be home.'" Trend's impact CIn the United States, people ages 45-65 will be the fastest-growing segment of the population during the next decade. CThe number of Americans over 65 will leap from 34 million in 1995 to 62 million by 2025. CProductivity losses because of elder care are estimated at $ 11.4 billion a year. CMore than 90 percent of corporate executives polled believe elder care will be an increasing concern the next five years; 58 percent predict child-care needs will increase. Source: Conference Board Tips for caregivers CChoose to take charge of your life. Don't let your loved one's illness or disability take center stage. CBe good to yourself. CWatch out for signs of depression. Get professional help if needed. CWhen people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things they can do. CEducate yourself about your loved one's condition. CBe open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one's independence. CSeek support from other caregivers. There is strength in knowing you're not alone. Source: National Family Caregivers Association
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