Elder care resources to help with your loved ones

Are you concerned that an older loved one may need a little help around the house to live safely and with a good quality of life?

Loneliness, poor nutrition, difficulty dressing, or lack of reliable transportation can impact one's physical and mental health. Struggles in these and other areas may call into question whether your loved one's needs are being met adequately.

If it's important for your loved one to remain living at home for as long as possible, it may be time to consider hiring someone to come in and help. Companion care or home health aide services may be needed only part time or around the clock. Learn about the different types of care these professionals can deliver, the licensing or training required, and cost estimates in this article on the care.com website.

Caring for aging loved ones also can require tough conversations that you might prefer to avoid, but clear and proactive communication can make a huge difference in getting to the best outcome. Care.com's webinar called Senior Care and Tough Conversations can be viewed on demand. National experts discuss aging and caregiving; how to approach sensitive topics such as driving, finances, and changes in memory and cognition; and end-of-life care.

As a JHU employee, you have free access to Care.com's premium membership, which allows you to search for a provider in your area. Care.com's resources walk you through how to post a job, questions to ask during an interview, how to perform background checks, how to pay taxes for a household employee, and more. Learn more about your Care@Work benefits and enroll in this free membership.

Additional benefits and resources can be found on the university's Family and Caregiving Programs website.

Questions about this benefit? Contact the Benefits Service Center at 410-516-2000 or email benefits@jhu.edu.