Are you an employer or employee? This article is for you! Chances are you’re also a family caregiver for elderly relatives as well. Currently, six in ten caregivers are employed and that number is increasing. Two thirds of those caregivers have had to adjust their work life, from going in late to giving up work entirely. Twenty percent have had to take a leave of absence. Seventy three percent of caregivers have had to work while providing care. You may be wondering why any of this should matter to you. Employees, if you are a caregiver and have to leave the work force to take care of a relative, you will lose an average of $310,000 in lost wages and benefits. Can you afford that loss? The lost wages and health insurance are fairly obvious. But, you are also losing your employer’s contribution to Social Security which will impact you in your later years. Employers, your cost due to absenteeism, turnover, and decreased productivity is estimated to be $2,400 per employee, per year. Can your company afford this? Can any company afford this? This isn’t something you’re hearing in the news or from your elected officials. But, you are being impacted. What can you do to reverse this problem? Employers, you have a number of options at least one of which is at no cost to you. 1. Implement an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 2. Contract with a patient advocate to be “on call” for your employees. 3. Allow a patient advocate to provide a lunch and learn seminar to your employees. Employees, what can you do? 1. Find out if your employer offers an EAP program. 2. If they don’t, speak with your human resources department about getting one. 3. Reach out to a patient advocate.
What can these services do? An employee assistance program can help with stress related issues and provide other resources. A patient advocate can be a “rent a daughter.” They can accompany your relative to doctors’ appointments and let you know what is going on. They can also provide hospital bedside services, if necessary. During lunch and learns, they can also provide information on how to make physician visits more productive.
Employers, providing these services can reduce your expenses due to employee turnover, absenteeism and reduced productivity. But, they can also give your company the reputation of being employee and family friendly which can help you attract quality employees.
Employees, not only can these services reduce your stress, they can also affect your income.
Peace of Mind Patient Advocacy is committed to helping its clients navigate health care and is committed to continuing education. This information comes courtesy of a session at the Professional Patient Advocate Institute, a conference recently held in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are here to help employers and employees who need help navigating healthcare. (And anyone else who needs assistance.) Prices for our services vary based on the situation. Please contact us at 239-322-9153 or peaceofmindpatientadvocacy@gmail.com.
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McCann holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida. She also has a graduate level certificate in Patient Advocacy from UCLA Empowered, a public/private program of UCLA, which she received with honors. Additionally, she has received a certificate in Patient Advocacy from the Professional Patient Advocate Institute. McCann is currently pursuing training in oncological patient navigation from George Washington University Cancer Institute. She has worked as a practice manager for a local medical office which provides her with insight into the providers’ side of healthcare.
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