According to the Caregiver Action Network, more than 65 million people in the U.S. serve as caregivers and spend an average of 20 hours per week looking after a loved one or friend. The value of services family caregivers provide for free when caring for older adults is estimated to be $375 billion a year. Caregiving is real work, and finding quality assistance can be expensive.
Here are some no-cost Penn resources you can use during National Family Caregivers Month to help you find the support you need.
- Care.com Webinar: Maximizing Quality of Life as You Age, November 5, 1pm-2pm- Whether retirement seems far away or just around the corner, it’s important to maximize quality of life as we age. In order to do that, it’s helpful to consider how best to enhance well-being, independence and social connection. This seminar will cover topics such as livable communities, in-home supports, technology resources and the cost of long-term care. Click here to register.
- Important Resources for Family Caregivers workshop, November 12, 12:30pm-1:30pm, 3624 Market St., Suite 1A South – As family caregivers, we are often confronted with a confusing array of choices. How can you sort out the various senior living arrangements, in-home services and care options so you can determine what’s best for your loved one? How do you find the right support for yourself so you can handle your caregiving responsibilities along with everything else? In this workshop you will learn about the long-term care landscape, including resources and costs so that you can be an informed and proactive caregiver. Click here to register.
- Senior Care Planning services – Through Penn’s partnership with Care.com, benefits-eligible faculty and staff can access senior care advisors who can provide you and your family with caregiving strategies such as finding the appropriate level of care, proactively planning and paying for care, and assisting adult children whose parents do not want to accept care.
You can also contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), powered by Health Advocate for assistance. Benefits-eligible Penn faculty and staff – as well as their spouses, dependents, parents, and parents-in-law - can use this service at no cost to you. The EAP provides your family with experts who can provide a number of services, including identifying eldercare, in-home care, assisted living, and long-term care. Call 866-799-2329, Monday-Friday, 8am-10pm to speak with a representative. For emergencies, support is available 24/7.
For more important caregiving tips, visit the Caregiver Action Network website. You can also visit the Caring for Your Family webpage for details about Penn’s dependent care benefits.