Work/Life Trends
Expanding Sandwich Generation Needs More Eldercare Assistance

Recent studies say there are already about 10 million people in the U.S. who are members of the Sandwich Generation (caring for children and aging parents or loved ones at the same time) and that their ranks will continue to swell as the population ages.

The typical Sandwich Generation caregiver holds down a regular full-time job in addition to caring for her/his loved ones, and this can take a heavy toll physically, emotionally and professionally. Many Sandwich Generation caregivers report arriving for work late, leaving early and taking personal or vacation time to attend to their caregiving duties. They feel as though they simply don't have a choice. But a growing number of employers, health plans, financial services companies and insurance providers are trying to change that perception.

They're providing their constituents with a variety of assistance programs including child and elder care resource and referral programs, flexible work schedules and supplemental unpaid family leave. As these organizations look for new ways to help their family caregivers, many are focusing on elder care as the main area of opportunity. (Child care programs have been prevalent since 1980s, while most elder care support has been basic resource and referral programs.) Among the enhanced elder care initiatives they're considering are:

	Legal Services—Aging brings its own specialized set of legal issues. Caregivers benefit from consultations with local attorneys as well as actual face-to-face or telephonic assistance with document preparation (e.g., living will, durable power of attorney, healthcare directive, etc.).
	Financial Services—Again, caregivers and their loved ones often need the expertise and guidance that only an independent financial planning expert can provide. Telephonic consultations and assistance in making arrangements for long-term care are of special help.
	Geriatric Care Management (GCM)—GCM services give caregivers access to a wide range of face-to-face specialized services from professional geriatric care managers. These services are designed specifically to help caregivers who want expert opinions and guidance, who are overwhelmed by their duties, or whose loved ones have more complex needs. These services include: in-person, in-home assessments; facility reviews; post-hospitalization assessments; customized recommendation and care plans and ongoing care coordination.
	Health Coaching for Caregivers—Caregivers notoriously ignore their own health and wellness. Telephonic coaching, in particular, is a cost-effective way to assist them with stress management, weight management, tobacco cessation, and other common issues.
	Home Safety Services—Fall prevention, medication compliance and emergency support weigh heavily on the minds of caregivers. Home safety assessments, access to handyman installation networks, discounts on personal emergency response systems and integrated medication reminders can help aging loved ones stay safe—and provide peace of mind to their caregivers.

LifeCare offers a comprehensive array of Successful Aging^SM Services that span all of these programs and more. LifeCare clients interested in learning more about these services should contact their account managers. Non-clients should call us at 866-675-3751.