- Links of Interest
- Family Caregiver Alliance
- National Family Caregivers Association
- FYI
- Percentage of total long-term care hours provided by unpaid caregivers:
- 84%
- payingforseniorcare.com/
longtermcare/statistics.html
Benefits for Caregivers
If you have elder care responsibilities, you should consider the following information when making decisions about the care of your family member:
Family Medical Leave Act Policy- Employees may use Family Medical Leave (FML) to take care of a parent who has a serious health condition. Employees are eligible for FML if they have been employed by the University for at least 12 months and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months preceding the leave. If sick leave balances are insufficient, FML also may be taken as leave without pay or vacation time. Please visit the Benefits website or call (618) 650-2190 for details about eligibility and the required documentation.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - SIUE employees can pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses or work-related dependent care expenses during the plan year with tax-free dollars through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Contact the Benefits Department at (618) 650-2190 for details.
Taxes- The IRS has defined Dependent Care expenses that caregivers may be eligible to claim on their tax returns. If the person for whom you provide care qualifies as dependent under IRS rules, review your federal and state W-4 tax documents to ensure that you are claiming the correct deductions. You are able to adjust the number of exemptions claimed through CougarNet or by contacting the Payroll section of the Office of Human Resources.
Geriatric Care Manager - A geriatric care manager provides counseling and support for families taking care of older adults. They can assist you with financial, legal, or medical issues and offer referrals to geriatric specialists. For more information about geriatric care, or to find a geriatric care manager in your area, visit this National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers website.
Online Support Groups - Do you have questions or just need someone to talk to about providing care for a family member? It can be very helpful to share stories and experiences, as well as receive advice from elder care providers and caregivers. Join our SIUE online support group today, chat online, and instantly become part of a larger community who will provide you with your care management needs. You will need to use your e-id and password to login to the web portal to fully participate.