Parent Care Says Many Eldercare Costs Can Be Reduced, Even Eliminated

Firm provides information to help time-constrained caregivers dramatically reduce out-of-pocket spending while enhancing aging parents' safety and independence. Help is also available for small employers to address looming tsunami of caregiver-related productivity issues.

San Rafael, California (PRWEB) November 23, 2007 -- Many of the country's thirty million eldercare providers may be making unnecessary out-of-pocket expenditures according to Parent Care (http://www.parents-care.com), a leading eldercare resource. A company executive related a composite of the firm's subscribers. "While each caregiver's situation is unique, we've discerned a distinct pattern," observed company president Bill Gillis. "We've seen that many caregivers react to emergencies and crises and spend money to address them. Our research aligns with other studies that indicate $5 - 6,000 is spent annually by caregivers. However, we've delved a bit more deeply and discovered that while there was a valid need for the goods or services purchased, paying out-of-pocket wasn't always necessary."

Not wanting to intrude on elderly parents' privacy, many caregivers don't offer assistance until a crisis occurs. Learning that parents' hearing or mobility is limited often leads to the purchase of hearing aids, amplified and cordless phones. A spike in heating bills leads to a new furnace being installed. An injury resulting from a bathroom fall leads to a several thousand dollar remodeling investment. "Had the caregivers been aware or had time to investigate," states Gillis, "They might have learned as I did, many of these products and services are available for the asking - free!" While services differ from state to state and county to county, the Parent Care (http://www.parents-care.com) CEO urges caregivers to be proactive. "There are many products and services available for no charge without regards to parents' income!" Gillis laments with almost ministerial zeal. "The challenge is making caregivers aware of them!"

Gillis indicates that he learned the lessons he's trying to share the hard way. While leading the development of one the leading online stockbrokerage services, he became a long distance caregiver. "Like many, I reacted to early crises by opening my wallet - something I learned thousands of dollars later was unnecessary. I had an epiphany, the same process that I was using to serve individual investors could be applied to caregiving." He assembled a team of eldercare experts and launched Parent Care (http://www.parents-care.com) several years ago to provide information to caregivers and their employers.

The majority of US employers offer caregiving employees no eldercare assistance at all. Although headlines sometimes tout the services offered by a major employer or two, Gillis adamantly states that these are the exception and not the rule. "Most US workers are employed by small firms that provide no assistance," states Gillis. "These firms could suffer most if a key employee were to resign or even reduce work schedules due to eldercare commitments! Large companies might measure the losses in economic terms. However small businesses might see their total business at risk!"

Gillis firmly states that eldercare is an issue that transcends economics. "Whether caregivers or their employers choose to use Parent Care (http://www.parents-care.com) or choose from several other excellent services, as an industry I believe we have a moral obligation to encourage them to be proactive. Only by being proactive can they become informed, avoid unnecessary expense and job time lost while helping elderly parents remain safe and independent."

Many caregivers and their employers will experience the first waves of the looming caregiving tsunami. During holiday visits, many Baby Boomers will note changes in parents' status that require immediate attention. Employers will be immediately impacted by employees' delayed to work. If ever our parents' a stitch in time admonition should be practiced, the time is now.

About Parent Care, Inc.

Parent Care is the leading information source for the country's seven million long distance eldercare providers and their employers. Parent Care, The Parent Care Report and The Parent Care Channel are registered trademarks of the firm.

In addition to expert articles, subscription-based Parent Care (http://www.parents-care.com) provides reports on senior services in each of the country's 3,300 counties to help caregivers locate and evaluate local service providers. Daily tips, senior-related news, book reviews, safety checklists and videos complement an array of other features. Recent articles include topics from preventing slips and falls to reverse mortgages, maximizing doctor visits and relocating elderly parents. All are archived for future reference.

Mr. Gillis, a noted speaker, is available for interview or keynote addresses

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