Once you are in a caregiver role, an excellent place to learn about resources is through your employer. First, ask your human-resources representative if your company has an employee assistance program (EAP) or a work/life benefit. The EAP usually offers free phone consults and a few face-to-face appointments with a licensed social worker or psychologist. This counselor will be available to listen to your concerns and feelings and to provide help in finding resources. The work/life benefit offers only free phone consults with counselors who do database searches to find eldercare resources in your area. They will also do searches for licensed childcare services and assistance for children with special needs.
If you are wondering who should know about your situation, my advice is to consider the work culture as well as your relationship with your boss or co-workers. If you have a supportive boss and a flexible work environment, and you are viewed as a strong contributor to the team, then it may be safe to give them limited amounts of information. When they respond in a supportive way, their compassion and support can be invaluable and serve as another resource.
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Carolyn McIntyre is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Employee Assistance Professional with over 18 years of providing counseling, coaching, training and support groups. As a consultant for APS Healthcare, McIntyre also provides onsite caregiver support groups for companies. More on McIntyre is available at www.carolynmcintyre.com.
Copyright ©2007 Caring Today, LLC. As originally appeared on www.caringtoday.com and/or in Caring Today magazine. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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