Soar to Success July 2018

SOAR TO SUCCESS -XO\ )HDWXUH $UWLFOH of tardiness, additional sick days being taken, additional cost to health insurance and simply lost productivity. The economic impact to our nation is staggering. Warning Signs the Elder Care Cliff is Imminent When asked the signs of a looming Elder Care Cliff, Stella told us that for individuals the signs includepossiblybeingpassedupforapromotion or having to assess potential job opportunities based on the additional burden of family caregiving. Some must dip into their 401K to pay for care for elderly family members or the family member needs care and the caregiver has no idea how to pay for it. Those are some of the signs that an individual is either at the cliff or facing it. The impact on employers is also dramatic. They ĆQG WKDW WKHLU UHWHQWLRQ JRHV GRZQ DQG WKH cost of hiring people goes up. Health insurance premiums go up, because 66% of people between 19 and 64 are involved in caregiving in some way, and they have stress, disabilities, more work-related accidents and poor health and/or depression all related to their role as caregiver. What Can Be Done Stella shared with us that families should start planning today. The number one thing that employers should do is to bring in elder care workplace programs, so that these employees don’t quit, and instead they stay well, and remain happy, productive and balanced. Who Is Stella Nsong Stella Nsong is the creator of the Assisted Living At Home System, a customizable care RSWLRQ IRU DIćXHQW UHWLUHHV ZKR ZDQW WR UHPDLQ in their own home or for those who refuse to be warehoused in a nursing home. She is also the CEO of th e Caregiver Relief Network. In her role as the State Director of the Ohio Elder Care Planning Council, she consults with families, employers and policy makers on how to make caregiving more affordable, more gratifying and more Life Enhancing. With over two decades of experience as a UHJLVWHUHG QXUVH VKH SUDFWLFHV DV D FHUWLĆHG professional geriatric care manager and elder care consultant. She is a bestselling author, of numerous books, including The Elder Care Cliff 2.0. She’s a speaker, trainer and health care columnist.