Nov. 6, 2001

GW Can Lean on Lynn for Elder Care Services

New Resourse and Referral Representative Available

By Thomas Kohout

Human Resource Services, in conjunction with Family Care Resources, will host a reception Nov. 13, from noon–2 pm, to welcome Sharon Lynn, the new elder care specialist working with the Family Care Counseling Service. The reception in the Marvin Center Elliott Room (MC 310), will give employees an opportunity to meet Lynn, a social worker and elder care consultant with more than 20 years of experience.

“[Lynn] will provide resource and referral on care-giving options such as nursing homes, in-home care, assisted living resources, Medicaid and Medicare information, and other related concerns that employees may have in caring for their aging parents or relatives,” says Carol Ann Rudolf, director of Family Care Resources.

Family Care Resources, the resource and referral service that has been operating on campus since 1990, offers a one-stop-shopping approach to both child care and elder care information for employees of the University. Employees can bring their questions to Rudolph’s staff and they’ll handle the leg work. The service takes care of everything from tracking down information on care-giving options and resources for either children or the elderly, to locating resources for financial assistance, subsidies, and Medicaid and Medicare.

“The emotional choices concerning their parents or other aging or disabled relatives can be very difficult,” says Rudolph. “We hope we can make the decision-making process an easier one.”

With the graying of the baby-boomer generation, the elder care industry is growing rapidly, and the demand for services is already overwhelming. According to the 1997 National Alliance For Care Giving/American Association of Retired Persons survey, more than 22 million households are involved in some type of care giving for elderly parents or relatives. For these families, the responsibilities of care giving has a direct impact on employee’s productivity and those who work with them. The aggregate costs of care giving in lost productivity to US business is $11.4 billion each year, according to the AARP.

What makes this an even more challenging situation beyond the time and financial concerns, says Rudolph, is the emotional factor. “Here is a person who may have raised you, or you’ve know all your life. It’s a difficult role. The elder care phenomenon is that the help they need will
only increase as time goes on.”

Family Care Resources offers 24-hour response services. And, although employees in need of guidance might not get a response if they call after 1 or 2 am, however, the staff can get working right away, usually within 24 hours. The service also offers counseling sessions over the phone or during convenient evening hours off campus, as well as one-on-one counseling sessions on campus by appointment every first and third Tuesday. For more information call Family Care Resources at 301/897-8272 or 1-877/718-0226.

 

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu