Nationwide, an increasing number of individuals are caring for their aging parents and in-laws or for a chronically ill spouse, significant other, family member or friend. There are an estimated 65 million individuals, 29% of the U.S. population, providing care to a loved one in any given year.

 

Currently, 74% of employees are simultaneously working and caring for a loved one. These individuals often experience stress and have to make changes at work to accommodate their caregiving responsibilities. Employers are reporting increased healthcare costs from employed caregivers neglecting their own health, increased absenteeism, and decreased work productivity.

 

United Healthcare Community Plan of Florida has provided a $10,000 grant to Hospice by the Sea, Inc. that will enable the organization’s Aloesēa Caregiver Program to increase the awareness of South Florida employers about the growing number of working caregivers on their staff, understand the impact on job functioning, and determine what information employed caregivers need.

 

“United Healthcare recognizes a critical need in the workplace to identify and support caregivers via education about topics such as respite services, advanced care planning, caregiver support groups, home health services, and hospice care”, said Kelly Skidmore, Vice President of Community Relations, and United Healthcare Community Plan of Florida. “Partnering with the Aloesēa Caregiver Program is the perfect way to deliver useful and important information that may not otherwise be accessible to busy caregivers.” Additional educational topics will include: communicating with health professionals, the importance of self-care, and community resources, including services offered by the Aloesēa Caregiver Program.

 

Companies participating in the project are: Florida Atlantic University, Holman Automotive Group, IBM Southeast Employees’ Federal Credit Union, Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center, City of Tamarac, City of Wellington, City of West Palm Beach, Clerk and Comptroller’s Office of Palm Beach County, and Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s Office. Overall, approximately 10,500 employees will be surveyed.

 

“There are a number of resources available for caregivers; however, most caregivers are unaware that they exist,” explains Stefanie McKee, Ph.D., Senior Director of Program Development and Analysis at Hospice by the Sea. “An additional challenge for the working caregiver is that they are typically unable to take advantage of outside educational opportunities offered during the workday or in the evening. After work they often need to turn their attentions to their caregiver role or one of their other competing responsibilities. “

 

Aloesēa will administer and analyze the results of a needs assessment survey to be anonymously completed by staff to determine the number of employees who are serving in a caregiver role. The survey also will query them as to the types of information they are seeking. The results will be interpreted and shared with the Human Resource and Leadership staff after which a ”Lunch and Learn” presentation will be offered to employees providing “Tools for the Working Caregiver”. The presentation will also be available via the company’s intranet or via video conferencing. Printed “fact sheets” of the information presented will also be distributed.

 

Thus far, the survey has been implemented in five companies and results are being analyzed. These surveys not only will provide data for each individual organization, but will allow for the comparison of this information between participating companies and organizations. A post “program” survey of participating staff will be administered to evaluate participation rates and the impact of the program.