Eldercare Programs Can Improve Productivity
Companies that have corporate eldercare programs in place to assist employees in managing their care responsibilities for older family members have seen an improvement in engagement levels among these workers, according to a study released by work/life benefits consultancy, LifeCare Inc.
The study, “Corporate Eldercare Programs: Their Impact, Effectiveness, and the Implications for Employers,” was conducted for LifeCare by the National Alliance of Caregiving and Center for Productive Aging, Towson University. The 18-month study examined the extent to which workplace caregiving programs helped the employees who used them by making a positive difference in their own health and on-the-job performance. The findings were based on several surveys of workers with access to geriatric care management (GCM) and eldercare resource and referral programs, with a focus specifically on employees with caregiving responsibilities for an elderly family member.
Most employees reported first contacting the resource and referral program after a crisis had occurred in their caregiving situation, with relatively few having researched the program before needing help. The study found that, overall, users valued the program and had few complaints about their experiences. Many users expressed gratitude at having a source of information about the options available to them and said the program made them feel less alone in their struggles. Employees who used GCM services also said they appreciated the support the program provided in helping them manage the care of an elderly relative. However, some users of GCM programs also expressed a desire for more extensive services.
While caregivers who took advantage of these eldercare programs continued to struggle with their responsibilities, they tended to be healthier and more productive at work than caregivers who had not accessed the programs, according to the study. Results showed that users of eldercare programs reported a greater improvement over time in their ability to be focused and on-task at work than employees who used no programs for assistance. The study also found that users of GCM programs were more likely than non-users to report being in good health themselves.
The study’s authors recommended that employers that have eldercare programs in place educate employees about their availability and train supervisors to become more proactive in identifying workers who may benefit from using these programs. In particular, researchers emphasized, employees should be encouraged to take advantage of caregiving resources as early as possible to maximize their effectiveness.
“Employees must be made aware of the likelihood of becoming caregivers at some point in their lives,” the report said. “Educational materials, seminars, and workshops are potential methods for reaching large numbers of employees on an ongoing basis.”
In addition to training managers and supervisors to offer support to caregiving employees, the study suggested that employers consider creating a mentor system, asking employees with experience in dealing with these issues to advise co-workers who are in the process of taking on new caregiving roles and responsibilities.
