At least seven-million Americans are caring for a parent at any given time, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance—between one-third and one-half of these caregivers are employed outside the home. An estimated one-out-of-four U.S. households is involved in caring for a relative aged 50 or older.

Many of these older adults are not disabled to the point of needing institutional care. They do, however, need some help performing daily activities and functioning in the community. The National Academy on an Aging Society estimates that by 2030, some 21 million elderly people may need help with daily activities.

The aging workforce and the growing number of the elderly population are fast becoming, if not already, a critical issue for both employees and their employers.

Working caregivers, the majority of whom are women, often experience time lost from work, lost career opportunities, loss of leisure time, and stress-related illnesses. Many must quit their jobs to provide full-time care.

The most frequent challenges the elderly and their family caregivers face are placement—where the elderly parent will live—transportation, medical care and the cost of prescription drugs. It is critical that adult children discuss care issues with their aging parents before the need reaches a crisis. By knowing the options and available resources early can help ease the stress of an already difficult situation.

Seek an outside perspective

It is oftentimes difficult to make clear decisions that are best for all concerned. Sometimes family members disagree on what is best for the elderly parent. Working with an outside resource can often give family members the perspective they need to make choices that are in the best interest of the entire family.

At Creative Care Consultants, we work with families to help assess the situation, discuss options based on need, and help plan and implement a plan of action with the older adult and family. Because health and mental issues often change overtime, we also monitor changes in the older adult’s condition and recommend changes for their care as needed.

Our ongoing care management services includes special pricing of private duty caregiver services, immediate access to medical equipment and supplies, help with filing Medicare claims and discounts on items not covered by Medicare.

Elder care is more than just a family issue

Employers are also facing the challenges of the growing number of working adults caring for parents. The physical, mental and emotional health problems that many caregivers experience often dramatically affect their workplace. The impact on rising employer-provided health care costs, loss of work productivity and related loss of company revenues are forcing employers to take a serious look at elder care policies.

Professional elder care case management programs work with employers to develop strategies to help contain the organization’s health care costs, improve the health of their employees and their families, and encourage prudent use of available health care resources. In addition to helping employers manage individual cases within company policies and employment law, our staff trains supervisors to manage employees’ schedules and work restrictions resulting from work or non-work related injuries or illnesses.

For working caregivers, there is peace of mind knowing that they can go about their work and lives knowing that their parents are functioning at their highest levels in the least restrictive environments. For employers, there is peace of mind in offering elder care polices that result in higher employee retention rates, less absenteeism, lower recruitment costs and more contented employees.

Linda Nelson is a geriatric care manager at Creative Care Consultants.