Eldercare Expert Offers Corporate Programs on the Caregiving of Aging Parents to Ease Employee Absenteeism and Drain on Business

(prHWY.com) September 6, 2011 - Columbus, OH -- COLUMBUS, OH (September 6, 2011) - The recently released MetLife Mature Market Institute Study reports that nearly 10 million adults over the age of 50 currently are caring for their parents ... at a time when many are still working and making their own retirement plans. America's 75 million Baby Boomers are increasingly faced with attempting to juggle careers with their children's needs and the needs of their aging parents. This growing struggle to find balance is having a negative financial impact on the business community. Employers should take proactive measures now to address these issues by making eldercare resources available.

Eldercare expert and author of "Stuck in the Middle" Barbara McVicker states that the best way for employers to minimize financial drain due to absenteeism, workday interruptions and lost productivity is to support the caregivers in their workforce by instituting policies that support their needs and providing information regarding care giving, retirement planning and stress management.

"Many companies are just trying to get their arms around the enormity of this societal issue and how it ultimately impacts their profitability," says McVicker. "They know they have employees who are missing work due to the increasing need to take care of mom or dad, but what they may not have a handle on is the other ways this phenomenon is impacting their bottom lines."

It is estimated that caregivers suffering from stress-related illnesses may cost as much as an additional eight percent in health care costs for employers. And, sadly, the total estimated aggregate lost wages, pension, and Social Security benefits of these caregivers of parents is nearly $3 trillion, according to the MetLife study.

"I work with companies throughout the country who are facing these issues," says McVicker. "And overwhelmingly, their employees are relieved to have a lifeline on a very difficult subject. By providing information regarding these issues, we are empowering them to take charge and not feel so helpless. Purposeful support by a business goes a long way for workers as it instills a sense of loyalty to the employer who has created a healthier working environment."

The Society for Human Resource Management estimates just one in three large employers nationwide has an eldercare program to serve employees with eldercare responsibilities. Providing an eldercare program for employees who find themselves serving as caregivers can establish your company as one that values its employees and embraces the family unit, McVicker says. It can also benefit your company through increased health and well-being, increased productivity, heightened loyalty and satisfaction and a decrease in costs due to absenteeism, turnover and presenteeism.

For more information about Barbara McVicker and how she can assist your company and employees, visit her website www.barbaramcvicker.com or email her at barbara@barbaramcvicker.com.

About Barbara McVicker
Barbara McVicker, an eldercare expert, national speaker and author, is available to consult with organizations on curbing the financial impact of eldercare on the business community. She also offers caregivers essential information about handling the stress and conflict of caregiving; how to balance work, parents, and children; and other caregiving topics. For more information, visit www.barbaramcvicker.com.

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