The Caregiving Department for Our Work and Caregiving Needs
All family caregivers deserve a benefit that serves them.
For just shy of 20 years, I presented workshops in the workplace on behalf of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and Work/Life Benefit companies. I led workshops on caregiving stress, finding help during a caregiving experience and work/life balance. I presented more than 400 times in various workplace settings — call centers, manufacturing plants, start-ups.
At the start and close of each presentation, I encouraged attendees to contact their EAP or Work/Life benefit for help managing their caregiving experience. While attendees often seemed to like me, they regularly shared a distrust of the service. They would ask questions like: How will their calls remain confidential? How much will their managers know about any calls they make to the service? With whom will they speak when they call? How much will the EAP or Work/Life benefit rep know about caregiving and how to help?
In essence, the employees wondered: Can I trust this service with my time and energy?
During a personal caregiving experience, the worry about wasting timing and energy remains ever present. We also doubt whether a service will help because our experience often seems to be about trying a service which just doesn’t help.
EAPs have struggled with utilization rates for years. Although EAP utilization rose during the pandemic, it’s safe to say we still have a ways to go. Pre-pandemic utilization numbers were under 10%, meaning less than 10% of employees used their EAP.
I recently re-connected with a colleague who changed jobs about two years ago. During our conversation, I asked about her company’s benefits. She proudly shared how wonderful the benefits are. I asked if she has used her EAP. No, she said, I haven’t had a reason to. Earlier in our conversation, she disclosed that a parent had died a year ago of Alzheimer’s disease. I found it interesting that my colleague didn’t reach out to her benefits, which includes an EAP, for support during her caregiving situation.
Last week, I had a conversation with one of our Certified Caregiving Consultants who manages the benefits for a school. I asked her to estimate the utilization rate for her EAP. She confirmed that she regularly refers her co-workers to the EAP. She doesn’t believe any actually used it.
We know we need help and support. When the way the workplace offers help doesn’t work, it seems time to re-work the model.
I believe we need to integrate programs like the EAP and Work/Life and caregiving benefits into a separate Caregiving Department. Rather than a benefit that doesn’t seem to be a part of our day, the Caregiving Department is part of the business. We interact with staff from the Caregiving Department in meetings, in the hallways and at events. When we know the Caregiving Department, we’ll use its benefits, support and services.
When we know, like and trust a service, we’ll use it.
Last year, I began reaching out to organizations to find one to launch a Caregiving Department pilot program. I am not patient enough for this slow progress of meetings and follow-up meetings and then more meetings.
Last weekend, I had an epiphany. I have an organization! I can be the organization that launches a pilot.
On Thursday, I launched a Caregiving Department on Caring Our Way, our community on Mighty Networks, to serve all family caregivers regardless of their employment status. All family caregivers deserve a benefit that serves them. Through our Caregiving Department, family caregivers can connect with our Certified Caregiving Consultants, complete assessments to better understand their needs, and join our strategy and planning sessions. In addition, Caring Our Way features courses and training programs to help family caregivers build their skills and knowledge base.
We’re celebrating the Caregiving Department with a three-day open house that begins on February 18, which is National Caregivers Day. Join us and then be sure to stop by between February 18 and 20 for a chance to win gifts, including a $100 Google Play gift card.
Resources
Join me Saturday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT, 8 a.m. PT) to become a Certified Caregiving Advocate. Enroll and then schedule your live one-hour training with me. It’s free!!
Enroll in Three-Word Journaling, which helps you reflect, write and release with weekly prompts of three words.