According to estimates from a 2009 Study conducted by The National Alliance for Caregiving, 65.7 million Americans actually served as caregivers for an ill or disabled relative in the past year.  As an Account Manager, I’ve been sharing resources for Elder Care with my clients for the last two years when reviewing resources available through Anthem’s EAP. 

“Elder Care” is a broad and daunting term, and can mean a number of things depending on an individual’s circumstance.  In EAP orientations, I cover all of the various resources available through Anthem EAP, and will often receive questions from employees denoting their own personal needs. 

This particular part of my orientation took on special meaning for me in March when my mother-in-law passed away.  You see, she wasn’t supposed to die first.  She was the glue that held the family of four unruly boys together – my husband and his three brothers.  And more importantly, she made my father-in-law a nicer person to be around and took care of him.  My father-in-law was always a challenging sort of person – he always knew best – and he would sometimes argue for the sake of it.  He and his sons had a love-hate relationship but they adored their mother (everyone did).  My father-in-law was also in the early stages of dementia.  She could manage him diplomatically, but with her gone, we were faced with a number of issues. 

Could/should he go into a home?  Will he take his medications the way he should?  Can he/should he continue to drive?  What will he eat and will he eat?  Is he safe to be in the home alone?  What resources are available?  What were we going to do?  And were all four of the brothers going to agree to it?

Admittedly, we had a rocky start.  There were issues over his driving which took a while to resolve.  Meals on Wheels proved to be a great solution for our concerns over his meals.  And we began the process of engaging the local Area Agency on Aging to assist us in the steps towards obtaining resources up to and including nursing home placement (which is continuing). 

Along the way, the family has looked to me as a resource since I’m the “health insurance person”.  Unfortunately, he’s in Florida, and what I’m most familiar with is Virginia!  But fortunately, our company has a robust Employee Assistance Program with information nationally.  I reached out for assistance in finding resources for my father-in-law and obtained contact information very quickly and painlessly.  I know that I can go to them for additional help in navigating all the different areas. Legal resources are available for those necessary Powers of Attorney and other legal matters.  Counselors are available for coaching me through family matters that arise.  And work life consultants are there to provide information on available resources and how to attain them.  We also work with a company called CareFamily, their focus is on matching in-home caregivers with elders in need.  I have a sense of peace knowing all of these resources are available and only a call or website away. 

If you’re facing an issue or questions regarding Elder Care, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Employee Assistance Program.  We’re here to help.