LifeCare^® Poll Finds Half of Adult Caregivers Motivated by Obligation

WESTPORT, Conn., September 25, 2006 – A new poll conducted by LifeCare^®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty care services and a longtime leader in the work/life industry, shows that 50 percent of those who provide care to an older family member or loved one do so out of a sense of obligation, while just nine percent say that there's no one else around to provide care. The poll was conducted on LifeCare's private web site during the month of August and asked participants, “If you care for an older loved one, what motivated you to take on this role?”

Here are the full results of the poll:

		50% — Sense of obligation
		19% — I'm the only one who can provide the level of quality my loved one deserves
		9% — No one else to do it
		4% — My loved one asked me
		2% — Siblings wouldn't do it
		16% — Other

“No matter what their motivations are, unpaid family caregivers provide a much-needed service to their loved ones and our society at large,” said LifeCare CEO, Peter G. Burki. “And many of them share the same basic challenges—how to provide adequate care for their loved ones while also taking care of their own children or holding down regular full-time jobs. About sixty percent of elder caregivers are employed, and the dual pressures of work and caregiving can take a tremendous toll.”

LifeCare provides a wide assortment of services designed specifically to support the needs of caregivers and their loved ones. These services include elder care counseling, education and referral services; a professional care management program to help caregivers with more complex cases; a host of online tools and resources to help caregivers maintain their own health and peace of mind; a variety of seminars to help with every aspect of caregiving; and a Plan-Ahead Legal Benefit that helps caregivers proactively manage the legal affairs of their older loved ones at significantly reduced rates and well in advance of any crisis.

“Employers who provide caregiving support to their employees are going to reap huge rewards in terms of reduced absenteeism and prevented productivity losses,” Burki states. “With the right kind of support in place, people don't become overwhelmed by their caregiving duties.”

Each month, LifeCare posts a poll on its private members' web site asking individuals to share their thoughts and opinions on the latest issues and work/life trends. Past polls have addressed topics such as family caregiving challenges, stress, healthy aging, flexible work arrangements, special needs children, and barriers to on-the-job productivity.

Notes to Editors

Peter G. Burki is available for interview.

About LifeCare^®, Inc.
LifeCare provides clients with specialty care services and customized care plans for all aspects of their personal and professional lives, including child care and parenting, elder care and healthy aging, education and personal growth, financial and legal matters, and far beyond. 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
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4170