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Home Care Articles

Rights of Family Caregivers in the Workplace

Sixty percent of family caregivers work outside the home in addition to providing care for a loved one, according to the 2010 MetLife Study of Working Caregiver and Employer Health Costs.

 

These two responsibilities can be difficult to manage together and sometimes conflict. Caregiving in the United States, a 2009 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP, found that 66 percent of family caregivers have had to make some adjustments to their work life.

 

Many are unaware that working family caregivers have rights that are protected by the government. These workplace rights include:

 

Caregivers have the right to a discrimination-free workplace.

Discrimination protection laid out by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects against discrimination by sex, race, marital status, parenthood, disability of family members and pregnancy. Many caregiver issues find protection under these existing classifications, such as a woman who is treated differently from peers for having caregiving responsibilities, or a man whose boss will not give him leave because he feels that a man should not have caregiving responsibilities.

Caregivers have the right to take an extended leave to provide care.

The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) established that employees have a right to up to 12 weeks of unpaid extended leave over a 12-month period. Caregivers of Veterans are allowed an extended leave of 26 weeks under the Support for Injured Servicemen Act, established in 2007.

However, FMLA has many qualifications that must be met by companies, employees and the individual being cared for:

  • FMLA only applies to public agencies, including state, local and federal employers; schools; and private companies with more than 50 employees engaged in any activity affecting commerce. These 50 employees must all be employed within a 75-mile range. The employee must be caring for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition; for an adopted or foster child; for a new child resulting from birth; or is unable to work due to a personal or medical condition.
  • To be eligible, an employee must have held their position with a qualifying employer for more than 12 months, and he or she must have worked at least 1,250 hours over a 12-month period. The company needs to be in a U.S. location or territory or under the possession of the U.S.

There are also some caveats to FMLA, one of which is that two spouses working for the same employer can take only 12 weeks of leave combined.

 

Caregivers have the right to continue receiving their existing health benefits while on extended leave.

Extended leave is unpaid unless you are caring for a Veteran, but a caregiver’s employer must continue to provide any existing health benefits for all who qualify under FMLA.

 

Caregivers have the right to have their jobs held while they are on extended leave.

FMLA has established that, for situations that meet the Act’s requirements, employers must hold a caregiver’s position—or a comparable one with equal pay—during a caregiver’s allotted extended leave time. There are some cases where an employee is designated as “key personnel” and an employer is allowed to fill that position out of necessity.

 

Employees have the right to opt in to programs for caregiving services assistance.

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act established a program that enables employees to opt in to a national insurance program through a paycheck deduction. This insurance allows adults who become functionally impaired to purchase community living assistance services and support for as little as $50 to $100 a day, depending on the disability. To qualify for services, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have paid into the program for at least five years.

 

EEOC established a list of best practices for employers in dealing with employees who are also caregivers. This list includes management awareness training, strong enforcement of EEOC policy, flexible work scheduling options, and providing personal or sick days so an employee can use them to care for a family member. Working and providing care for a loved one can cause conflicting demands on a person’s time. It is important that family caregivers are informed about the ways the government is supporting and protecting them to help them manage these responsibilities.


About Right at Home
Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with franchise offices located in 40 states nationwide, the United Kingdom, Brazil and China. For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home at http://www.rightathome.net/about-us or read the Right at Home caregiving blog at http://www.rightathome.net/blog. To sign up for Right at Home’s free adult caregiving eNewsletter, Caring Right at Home, visit http://caringnews.com.

          Tips for Seniors Citizens to Stay Cool in Summer Heat

Summer is a season when many activities take place outdoors, with warm temperatures and long days. As people venture outside to enjoy their favorite summer pastime, extremely high temperatures can affect the body’s ability to keep cool. “Although anyone can be vulnerable to summer heat, some people are at greater risk than others,” said Allen Hager from Right at Home. “Persons over age 65 particularly are at high risk for suffering a heat-related illness.”

Senior citizens are susceptible to intense heat because their bodies may be less efficient than younger adults to adequately respond to rising temperatures. Senior citizens also are more likely to have medical conditions that change normal body responses to heat, and they are more likely to take prescription medicines that weaken the body’s ability to regulate its temperature or that prevent perspiration.

An elderly person’s lifestyle also can increase the risk for developing a heat-related illness, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Lifestyle factors include overdressing, lack of transportation, extremely hot living quarters and misunderstanding weather conditions. While getting outdoors to engage in summer activities is important to maintain health and wellness, seniors should be aware of heat-related illness and take steps to avoid succumbing to the effects of summer heat.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. When the body’s temperature rises too fast, the body loses its ability to sweat and is unable to cool down. During heat stroke, body temperatures can rise to 103° F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given. Various symptoms of heat stroke include an extremely high body temperature (above 103° F); red, hot and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; and nausea.

Heat exhaustion is a milder type of heat-related illness that can develop after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and becoming dehydrated. Warning signs of heat exhaustion vary but may include the following: heavy sweating; paleness; muscle cramps; fatigue; weakness; dizziness; headache; nausea; fainting; cool, moist skin; rapid, weak pulse; and fast, shallow breathing. To learn about other heat-related illnesses, visit http://www.rightathome.net/blog/types-of-heat-related-illness/.

Follow these tips to protect you and elderly loved ones from heat-related illness:

  • Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages; if your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or prescribes water pills for you, ask how much you should drink when the weather is hot
  • Rest
  • Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath
  • Seek an air-conditioned environment; if your home is not air conditioned, visit an air-conditioned shopping mall, movie theater or public library to cool off
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, cotton clothing; if outdoors, wear a hat
  • Plan outdoor activities in early morning when it is cooler

Visit or check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors who are at risk at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. If you are unable to check up on an elderly relative, consider contacting Right at Home for assistance. Trained and bonded caregivers are available to ensure that your loved one is staying cool and drinking plenty of fluids during the hot summer months. They also can transport your loved one to an air-conditioned location if necessary in order to escape extreme heat.

If you observe a person who may be suffering from heat stroke, instruct someone to call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the affected person by doing the following:

  • Take the person to a shady area or an air-conditioned facility
  • Cool the person rapidly by any means necessary – immerse the person in a tub of cool water, place the person in a cool shower, spray the person with cool water from a garden hose or sponge the person with cool water
  • Offer fluids such as water and fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine

 

About Right at Home
Founded in 1995, Right at Home, Inc. is an international franchise organization based in Omaha, Neb. Independently owned and operated franchise units offer in-home care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Right at Home offices directly employ all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. All ongoing care is monitored and supervised by the more than 200 local franchise offices located across 40 states nationwide and throughout the world. For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home or read the Right at Home caregiving blog. Sign up for Right at Home’s free adult caregiving eNewsletter, Caring Right at Home.

          Factors to Consider Before Moving
Your Aging Loved One into Your Home

As a person begins to age, family members often feel the need to help with everyday tasks that become challenging, such as meal preparation, laundry and housekeeping. Eventually, many family members find themselves assisting in ways they never expected, such as with hygiene and grooming. This can lead to the common decision to move an aging loved one into the home of a family member. One out of four adult children lives with an elderly or disabled relative he or she cares for, according to Caring.com.

However, moving a loved one into your home may take a toll on the family caregiver, causing stress, fatigue and strained relationships with family and friends. There are additional options to consider, such as in-home care, assisted living or a nursing home facility. “If you need help, you’re not alone,” said Allen Hager from Right at Home. “Recognizing your loved one requires additional assistance is just the first step to ensuring your loved one gets the assistance needed.”

Family caregivers should consider the following factors before moving an aging loved one into their home:

Consider your daily schedule and availability. Caring for an aging loved one is a great way to repay the nurturing love and care he/she gave to you. However, if you are working a full-time job and caring for children of your own, it may be difficult to take on the additional responsibility of someone requiring constant assistance. Be realistic about how much time and energy you have each day to devote to your aging loved one. Also, understand that the level of care you need to provide will most likely increase over time.

Review the history of your past relationship. Getting along well with your loved one and being able to peacefully and successfully overcome any differences is a major benefit when living under the same roof as someone. However, if you have a strained relationship and have a hard time resolving conflicts, be aware that the relationship will not magically improve if you live together. If your loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia, consider whether you will be able to handle the possible personality changes that may come in the future.

Ensure your home is physically safe for an aging adult. Ensure that your home doesn’t pose any health or safety hazards. For example, older adults should ideally live on the first floor of your home to avoid stairs. If this is not possible, you may need to have an automatic stair lift installed. You may need to put in a ramp if there are stairs leading up to the front door of your house. Additional modifications may be needed in the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom. For a home safety checklist, visit http://www.rightathome.net/assets/PDF/HomeSafetyChecklist-2.pdf.

Consider the financial impact. Moving an aging loved one into your home may become a financial burden or may provide financial benefits. Come to a financial agreement before any living arrangements are made. Consider having your loved one contribute to household costs to ease the burden. Recognize that you and your family may have to make sacrifices to make the situation work, such as using your savings account or cutting back on entertainment spending. Include other family members involved in your loved one’s care in the discussion. There is no right or wrong way to deal with finances, and agreeing on an arrangement first can help you avoid disagreements later.

Taking a broad view of the situation and determining which solution is right for everyone involved can lead to a happier and healthier family. If you decide to move your aging loved one into your home, remember to allow yourself an occasional respite from caregiving and consider hiring an in-home care agency such as Right at Home. Trained and bonded caregivers are available to provide companionship, homemaking, physical assistance, hygiene and wellness for your loved one.

About Right at Home
Founded in 1995, Right at Home, Inc. is an international franchise organization based in Omaha, Neb. Independently owned and operated franchise units offer in-home care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Right at Home offices directly employ all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. All ongoing care is monitored and supervised by the more than 200 local franchise offices located across 40 states nationwide, the United Kingdom and Brazil. For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home or read the Right at Home caregiving blog. Sign up for Right at Home’s free adult caregiving eNewsletter, Caring Right at Home.

          Patient Safety Week Recognized in March
Safety Tips Offered for Seniors During and After Hospital Discharge

(March 3, 2011) — March 6 to 12, 2011 will be recognized as Patient Safety Week, an annual education and awareness campaign led by the National Patient Safety Foundation to encourage and strengthen collaboration between patients, families and healthcare providers.

“Patient Safety Week highlights the need for healthcare participants to be informed, involved and invested in making healthcare safe,” said Allen Hager, from Right at Home. “Our aging loved ones often require special attention and care to help them remain safe during and after a stay in a healthcare facility.”

When patients are discharged from the hospital, the effects of their condition are not necessarily gone when they return home. This often makes it difficult for a patient to safely adjust back to daily life. If your aging loved one has recently been hospitalized, the following tips can help him remain safe during and after the discharge process:

  • Be involved in decision making: Talking with your loved one and his doctors ensures that everyone has the same goals and information, which is an important step toward a safe and healthy recovery.
  • Discuss medications: Before your loved one is discharged, talk with the doctor about the medications he will be taking. Discuss the purpose, dosage and side effects of each so both you and your loved one can be prepared if any complications arise. One of the main causes of a slower recovery is improper use of medications.
  • Schedule follow-up appointments: Find out what follow-up appointments and tests are needed. If your loved one needs assistance getting to these appointments, consider hiring an in-home care agency such as Right at Home to provide transportation since regular doctor visits are important to most patients’ recovery.


Right at Home recently launched RightTransitions, a solution to ease the transition for patients from a healthcare facility to their home and to safeguard against unnecessary hospital readmissions. Right at Home works closely with discharge planners to develop a personalized plan for support services to allow patients to get back on their feet while safely recovering in their home. Services provided include communication with family and healthcare providers, regular visits, medication reminders, transportation to doctors’ appointments, meal preparation and housework. For more information on RightTransitions or other Right at Home services, call us today..

About Right at Home
Founded in 1995, Right at Home, Inc. is an international franchise organization based in Omaha, NE.  Independently owned and operated franchise units offer in-home companion and personal care and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Right at Home offices directly employ all caregiving staff, each of whom are thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. All ongoing care is monitored and supervised by these more than 200 local franchise office located across 40 states nationwide, the United Kingdom and Brazil. For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home at http://www.rightathome.net/about-us to sign up for Right at Home’s free adult caregiving eNewsletter, Caring Right at Home, visit http://www.rightathome.net.

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Right at Home is the nation's leading home care and caregiver agency of choice.  We provide non-medical, private duty home care agencies providing senior care, elder care, personal care, respite care and senior companion care to help the elderly and adults continue to live in their homes independently.