Financial Concerns Drive Down Referrals to Summer Camps by 40 Percent

SHELTON, CT, May 14, 2009

The lazy days of summer might be more aptly termed “the thrifty days of summer” this season, according to LifeCare^®, Inc., a leading provider of health and productivity solutions for employers nationwide. The company says that its Call Center has handled 40 percent fewer requests for summer camp referrals as compared to this time last year, and the number of callers asking about summer travel discounts and free sight-seeing destinations has more than doubled.

“Clearly, working families need to respond to the financial challenges they’re facing, and reducing their usual summer-related expenses is one way of doing that,” said LifeCare CEO, Peter G. Burki. “While that’s completely understandable, we want to remind people to reach out their employer-sponsored work/life providers before simply foregoing camps, travel plans or other summer activities. We can help them find less expensive options or discounts they might not be aware of. At the very least, we can help them exhaust every possible option and offer creative ideas they might not have considered.”

Burki says that in past years LifeCare’s Call Center Specialists normally had to ask callers about budget considerations or limitations when helping them locate summer camps and plan trips. “We don’t have to ask much anymore,” he says. “Most callers mention budget concerns at the beginning of their calls. In fact, we’re now finding that callers often have done a little research on their own and they’re contacting us to help them find better deals.”

Burki says that inquiries about travel safety also have dipped, as more people plan to forego travel or make shorter local trips.

Notes to Editors

LifeCare's CEO, Peter G. Burki, is available for interview.

About LifeCare^®, Inc.
LifeCare is a leading provider of health and productivity solutions to employers nationwide, offering cost-saving benefits that help clients reduce their most pervasive absenteeism and productivity drains, including child and elder care, caregiving support, health and wellness issues, and more. For more than two decades, LifeCare has led the work/life industry in the creation of high-quality, results-oriented programs designed to improve our clients' bottom line. LifeCare serves 1,500 client companies with 4.5 million individuals within corporations, health plans, government agencies and unions. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.

Media contact: Michael Civiello
mikciv@gmail.com
203-556-8827