The holiday season is here, and while many of your employees might be feeling festive, many are likely worried and stressed as they prepare to visit their larger families.
This can be especially true if your employees are doubling as caregivers to aging loved ones. One in five workers care for an aging loved one or a loved one with special needs, and 61% of them are women. Chances are they won’t discuss caregiving with their supervisors, and many suffer in silence because they don’t how and where to get help.
What to Watch for in Elderly Parents
As we reflect on the year, Homethrive’s VP of Care Management, Shanna Grayson, highlights that for caregiving employees, seeing their aging family members again might bring about a reevaluation. They’ll be observing changes and assessing their loved ones’ well-being.
The following are some concerning changes Shanna says a caregiver might notice.
Finances
A change in finances management has led to excessive online shopping, stacks of bills or payment notices, or utilities being turned off due to missed payments.
Physical Safety and Security
Hospitalizations, ER visits, and falls are increasing recently. You’re noticing signs of unsafe driving or unexplained damage to their car.
Home Safety and Security
Your loved one is beginning to struggle in their environment. Home modifications are becoming more necessary for comfort or safety.
Home Environment
The rooms in the loved one’s home are cluttered and/or unclean. There are unpleasant odors or appliances aren’t working.
Balance and Mobility
The loved one is holding on to furniture or relying more on a cane or walker to get around. They’re shuffling their feet instead of walking. They struggle to get up from a seated position or you’ve noticed unexplained injuries like bruising.
Hearing
The loved one strains to hear someone speaking to them.
Medication Management
Medication is expired or bottles are empty. There are pills on the floor.
Vision
The loved one has trouble reading or avoids reading altogether.
Hygiene
There is a noticeable decline in their personal care and grooming habits.
Eating Habits
They’ve lost or gained a significant amount of weight, there is spoiled or no food in the fridge, or they lack energy to prepare to prepare food.
Cognitive or Emotional Changes
They are forgetful, confused, disinterested, or sleeping more than usual. There is a noticeable change in their personality or mood.
How to Support Employees
Your caregiving employees will likely be stressed as they remedy the issues they’ve come across, and this will distract them from their work.
Now is the time to offer your employees the gift of a caregiving benefit, such as Homethrive, that can reduce their work, worry, and stress, and allow them to bring their whole selves to work.
Homethrive’s integrated caregiving solutions combine live, expert guidance and care coordination with on-demand digital resources. We pinpoint key challenges, deliver expert coaching and navigation and do the research to allow caregivers to prioritize their loved one’s care and their own well-being.
From finding decorating and meal delivery services to managing new health changes and challenging family dynamics, Homethrive can help your employee caregivers navigate the holiday season more easily and avoid burnout.
Find out more ways to support your caregiving employees by learning about the benefits that can help.
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