Campaign Launched to Help Employees Balance Work and
Caregiving
November 19, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The National
Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) - in cooperation
with the National Alliance for Caregiving - has launched a
campaign to help businesses and employees work together on
the growing problem of balancing the responsibilities of work
with caring for a family member.
The campaign encourages businesses to hold a
"Company Caregiving Luncheon" during November, National
Caregiver's Month, at which n4a will make available
copies of the MetLife Mature Market Institute guide,
"Resources for Caregivers." A spokeswoman for the
campaign said in a press release, "As a first step,
businesses can become informed and discuss issues and
helpful options with employees. We encourage businesses
to plan one day this month to talk about caregiving and
to offer employees the gift of knowledge - 'Resources for
Caregivers.'"
At the "Company Caregiving Luncheons," copies of
"Resources for Caregivers" will be distributed through
the local Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI Native
American aging programs by n4a, through a grant from
MetLife Foundation.
"Caregiving information should become a regular
part of the conversation that businesses have with
employees, similar to health benefits and other human
resources issues," said Gail Gibson Hunt, President and
CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, in the
release.
In its announcement, n4a said nearly 60% of those
caring for an adult over age 50 are working, the majority
of them full time. Studies show employees who are also
caregivers cost employers anywhere from $17 billion to
$33 billion annually, due to lost time at work, frequent
interruptions, or leaves of absence.
Programs to assist caregivers include services such
as transportation assistance, support groups, caregiver
education programs, and respite.
Rebecca Moore
editors@plansponsor.com