Grown siblings don't want to face the inevitable till it arrives, so finances and living arrangements are never discussed. Older parents stubbornly maintain their independence, sometimes long past the time when it is prudent for them to live alone. All of that compounds the stress for the caregiver, who often is female and employed. Eleven percent of people caring for elderly relatives take a leave of absence from work, says a survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association of Retired Persons . Seven percent opt to work fewer hours, and 10 percent take early retirement or quit their jobs.
Employers can help.
Large companies such as Medtronic and 3M increasingly provide information on nursing homes, home health aides and long-term care insurance via the company intranet. Noon classes or even a table with pamphlets are more affordable for small companies. Pearson charges a dollar per employee per month for what he calls his total solution. Employees consult with a masters-level clinician who has a background in gerontology. CareQuest sends a registered nurse to see the aging parent and determine what services he or she needs.