Elder-Care Options

Fortunately, in response to the rapidly growing problem of elder care, avariety of options are available through local agencies and privateorganizations. Gone are the days of nursing homes for all but the most seriouslyimpaired. HR should know the alternatives.

• Resource and referral services (offered through employers) providethorough education to callers about options, finances, legal issues, as wellas names of screened agencies and providers.
• Home health care providers offer skilled help in the home.
• As an employer, you may be able to offer a reduced rent at selected seniorhousing communities.
• Assisted living complexes are apartments for healthy seniors who needmoderate assistance.
• Continuing-care retirement communities (CCRCs) can provide a variety oflevels of aid to elderly.

Some organizations even employ geriatric-care managers, who supervise thecaregiver’s situation if he or she is too far away. It’s all simply a matterof discovering elder-care options, and then assessing which ones work best.

Workforce, October 1999, Vol. 78, No. 10, p. 61— Subscribenow!