Most companies offer employee assistance programs to their working caregivers. These companies realize their workers’ tremendous stress and demands, which impacts their job productivity. They have it in their best interest if they can help you cope.
However, regardless of its importance, most employees overlook their EAP and the massive benefits it is bound to offer. Are you aware of EAP’s existence, leveraging its resources to the optimum? Find employee assistance solutions for eldercare here. EAP sits among the widespread benefits and covers beyond a mere employee. Find out more if Employee Assistance Programs are meant for you!
Why Develop an EAP?
Employee concerns and problems impact a company’s bottom line if not addressed well. A 1998 study by the Health Enhancement Research organization on about 46,000 workers at various U.S. organizations found that 18.5% of employees were highly stressed with a higher (by 46 %) medical claim than their unstressed counterparts. In addition, about 54 million more Americans suffer a mental disorder annually, though only 8 million and lower opt for treatments.
Yet, these are just a few of the many employee-related issues the research outlines. Another study of about 2000 American adults conveyed that 60% had issues keeping boundaries between work and home endeavors. In fact, 40 % found their work demands to disturb their efforts towards balancing work and life. Workers’ quality, engagement, creativity, and productivity suffer whenever stressed or taxed. Best support and care for a loved one comes from proper planning and exploring options. In fact, preparation, and prevention are vital ingredients. But often, a crisis is what triggers most caregivers to get started.
Types of EAP Advantages to Caregivers
Family caregivers may need a one-on-one discussion with a professional concerning a specific problem. You are entitled to a face-to-face visit from trained personnel, usually from one to five professionals handling a single issue. In that case, you can break the family caregiver’s concerns into multiple EAP difficulties. For instance, your caregiving umbrella may incorporate topics like: relationship difficulties, anxiety, balancing work and family, setting boundaries, grief, stress, sleep issues, etc.
For example, your EAP can help you tackle complex communications with elders concerning end-of-life issues, medical care, driving, money, etc. it also offers legal assistance on wills, trusts, health care proxies, and related documents. Additionally, it can offer referrals to care managers. These care personnel will assist you in planning. They’ll also make hospital or home visits. Moreover, EAP can give essential referrals to special needs professionals for the disabled.
And if you’re searching for information about home aids, including chairlifts, ramps, doorknob wraps, or tools that enhance daily living, EAP is a great help center. What’s more, you are entitled to a list of assisted living options (pre-vetted) with pricing and availability.
Besides such counseling from one-on-one skilled personnel, here are other areas your EAP may facilitate under eldercare or caregiving: caregiving support resources; grief support, home safety, meal delivery, Alzheimer support, end of life resources, geriatric case management, family members counseling, elder law attorney, transportation services, assistance with Medicare/Medicaid navigation, rehabilitation research, assisted living, home care, etc.
EAP Balances Work and Life
The best aspect of an EAP is offering a long-lasting solution to managing both work and life affairs. Because of the assistance program, employed caregivers can focus on their job and avoid missing time initiated by their caregiving responsibilities. What if you find it a huddle effectively allocating time on appointments, health insurance claims, and prescription refills? As much as family members deserve care, working caregivers need EAP to support them more.
The program works alongside individual employees, confidentially assessing their needs. What difficulties do they experience balancing work and life? What is their pressing issue as a caregiver? With these factors known, everyone can get a blueprint with proper methods for limiting stress and reinforcing support networks. Caregivers can peacefully return to work if loved ones’ needs are met; their tireless efforts as dedicated caregivers are handsomely rewarded, restoring balance in their life.
Additional EAP Benefits
Your EAP doesn’t stop at caregiving or eldercare. You can leverage it for the following challenging topic: special need care, childcare, pet care, adoption, infertility, special need care, identity theft, tax preparation resources, substance abuse counseling, career development, and testing, legal and financial questions, education topics—scholarships, financial aids, internships, school profiles, tutors, etc.
Most employee caregivers are blown away after discovering some of these benefits they have been missing. Most employers prefer their employees to incur minimal distractions at work by facilitating as much assistance as they can. It is a win-win endeavor.