Press release distributed in partnership with ...  

Responding to Increased Employer Demand, Workplace Options Introduces First-Ever Subsidy Program for Geriatric Case Management Services With a Unique Employee Benefit Providing Much Needed Assistance to Employees Caring for Aging Loved Ones

Workplace Options, the leading provider of work/life programs to corporate America, through partnerships with employee assistance (EAP) companies, today announced a new service that allows employers to offer employees a subsidy to help pay for the cost of geriatric care management services.

Raleigh, NC (HRmarketer/PRWEB ) November 21, 2003 --- Workplace Options, the leading provider of work/life programs to corporate America, through partnerships with employee assistance (EAP) companies, today announced a new service that allows employers to offer employees a subsidy to help pay for the cost of geriatric care management services.

While offering subsidies to employees with caregiving responsibilities is fairly common for back-up childcare and other homecare needs, this is the first subsidy program for employees needing geriatric care management services.

Although increasing numbers of employers are interested in offering employees geriatric care management services, they have resisted due to the high cost, which can often exceed $1,000. The subsidy program allows companies to manage these costs in a predictable way by choosing how much they want to contribute -- and employees have an incentive to use the services wisely.

As the American population ages, human resource professionals are challenged to respond to the needs of a growing trend of employed caregivers," says Alan King, chief operating officer of Workplace Options. Our EAP customers and their corporate clients have been asking for a service like this and we have responded. Offering employees geriatric case management services makes good business sense by decreasing caregiver stress and unscheduled time off and our new subsidy program helps both employers and employees afford the services."

The new subsidy program is an extension of Workplace Options Advantage Care Assist program which allows employees with eldercare responsibilities to arrange for a licensed geriatric care specialist to conduct an in-home assessment of the elders current circumstance. The care specialist, elder and family members together develop a comprehensive care plan designed to help the elder live comfortably and safely in their own home or, if needed, to choose an alternate living situation Geriatric assessment services benefit employees by helping to identify and avoid potentially unsafe situations which can lead to falls, inadequate nutrition or household hazards. Additionally, enabling the elder to remain in their own home is an economic advantage since the annual cost of assisted living ranges from $30,000 -- $60,000 annually. Employers benefit by offering employees an early intervention program that can ultimately help reduce long term absenteeism due to major elder care issues.

About Workplace Options
Workplace Options is the largest provider of work/life programs to corporate America, through partnerships with employee assistance (EAP) companies. The company delivers a customized work/life product to EAPs who in turn offer employers an integrated work/life EAP employee benefit.

Founded more than 20 years ago, Workplace Options delivers its services exclusively through EAPs and other third-party organizations. The company is recognized for its innovative web delivery capabilities, flexibility and affordable pricing models.

# # #