Benefits for Clients
Certain professionals have much to gain by offering family caregiver benefits. We are thinking of…
- Estate Planners
- Wills & Trust Attorneys
- All Financial Planners
- Insurance Providers
…to name just a few professionals who could include family caregiver benefits for clients.
Programs for Members
Churches, community centers and other service organizations might also consider providing family caregiver programs and benefits.
The truth is, family caregivers need all the help they can get. Many of them are not employed at all, or not employed at companies able to provide robust benefits.
What Benefits?
No one would expect lawyers or insurance agents or churches to pay clients for time off from work to care for family memebrs. So, let’s take all forms of paid leave out of this discussion. The good news, out of the remaining types of benefits, the most effective are often the least expensive. Here are some excellent benefits to consider:
- Structured support groups. Especially given the ease of offering both the group and the structure online, this could bring people together. (Click here to learn more about Structured Support Groups for family caregivers.)
- Discounted care, back up care and concierge services. It is possible for a company to have enough clients or for a community organization to have enough members to qualify for discounted professional caregiving. At the very least, a sponsor could act as a concierge to help people find quality help. Concierge services are one of the go-to benefits companies are offering employees. Most are doing it through third-party vendors who would likely be happy to work with anyone. Another possibility is simply coordinating among caregivers to help each other cover difficult cregiving situations. (Click here to read more about Discounted Care, Back Up Care and Concierge Services.)
- Caregiver education. Perhaps in conjunction with Structured Support Groups, sponsoring organizations could facilitate educational programs or resources for client/member family caregivers. There are many resources available. Again, the ease of online interaction makes this a simple and inexpensive program. (Click here to read more about Caregiver Education.)
Parenting Versus Family Caregiving
Types of Family Caregiving Benefits
The Case for Employee Family Caregiver Benefits