Wellthy

This September we mark World Alzheimer’s Month, an important moment to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and other cognitive conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be a very challenging journey for many families, who provide extensive hours of care to their loved ones. As the Alzheimer's Association® reports, “1.5 million family and other caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid help. On average, this represents nearly 31 hours of care per caregiver per week or 1,612 hours per caregiver per year.” Wellthy is especially committed to supporting and uplifting family caregivers navigating Alzheimer’s and dementia — who so often dedicate themselves to their loved ones' wellbeing and embody resilience and compassion. Through our work at Wellthy, we aim to provide these families with the resources and support they need to make caregiving more manageable, and ensure they, too, have the support they need to stay healthy and well through what can be an exponentially challenging care journey. 

 Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02NR39q0

 #WorldAlzheimersMonth #FamilyCaregivers

This important piece by Kim Painter Koffsky in AARP sheds light on a critical space within care – caregiving for someone with depression. Depression affects 15% of adults over 65 — and at Wellthy, depression is often among the top three conditions we help families navigate. The article emphasizes the crucial role caregivers play in noticing and monitoring depression in loved ones, helping find the right treatment, and providing ongoing support. It's not always easy to recognize depression in older adults, as symptoms can mimic a varied number of other conditions. “If you think of depression as just sadness, you might miss it in many older adults,” Painter writes. For more insights on recognizing signs of depression, understanding treatment options, and strategies for supporting your loved ones, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dJd3AwVG

"When leaders demonstrate a high level of care, it unlocks employee performance." Love this piece from Great Place To Work US spotlighting the amazing ways companies are supporting the employee caregivers in their workforce.

This great piece in Axios discussing a recent survey commissioned by Pivotal Ventures paints an urgent picture of how caregivers power the U.S. economy, and how families are craving more solutions and infrastructure to meet care needs. The impact of caregiving is staggering, with the average caregiver dedicating 45 hours weekly to unpaid care, often alongside a full-time job. The survey’s findings indicate that: “two in three caregivers surveyed say that being there for their loved ones has impacted their finances. Over a third reported they've had to accrue credit card debt due to their caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, caregiving is one of the main reasons women are forced to cut back at work or leave their positions altogether.” This isn't just a personal issue – these challenges can cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars every year and this crisis isn't going unnoticed—82% of U.S. voters across party lines believe supporting caregiving investments should be a priority for policymakers. The issue extends to the workplace too, with 65% of registered voters considering caregiving benefits crucial in job decisions. Read more about the critical role of caregivers in our economy and the growing demand for comprehensive care solutions in the full article here: https://hubs.la/Q02MqyzB0

We are so excited to see Prudential Financial announce the launch of their digitally accessible well-being program. This innovative hub offers a new access point to essential solutions and strategic partnerships, including Wellthy, designed to meet the needs of employees during critical life events like welcoming a new child, changing jobs, or navigating a disability. Jessica Gillespie, Prudential’s head of Group Insurance Product & Underwriting, shares “Our goal is to help create a healthier and more engaged workforce for our clients. We continue to enhance our well-being program to deliver innovative and relevant solutions that will have a meaningful impact for employees by providing the right access at the right time.” With this platform, Prudential is bridging the gap between employees and the resources they need most—ranging from financial education and behavioral health tools, to caregiving support and housing counseling. By aligning these services with their Life, Absence, and Disability products, Prudential is empowering employees to take control of their well-being. Read the full press release here: https://hubs.la/Q02Mg5V20

With a rich background that includes working as a therapist in an elementary school, directing social services in a long-term care facility, and supporting adults with mental illness in group home settings, Wellthy Care Coordinator, Courtney MacDowell, brings a well-rounded perspective to her role and excels at bridging the gap between available resources and the people who need them most. Courtney's commitment to connecting individuals with support that might otherwise remain out of reach is evident in her work as she shares: "I have found that there are so many programs with great intentions, but they often don't have the level of impact they could because they aren't reaching everyone they could help. Connecting people to these programs and resources has always been my drive. This is especially crucial when there are barriers like mental health. How do we reach those who are suffering in silence or alone?" Our latest Care Expert Spotlight showcases Courtney's unwavering dedication to empowering families with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and advocating for the essential services they deserve. Read Courtney’s Care Expert Spotlight here: https://lnkd.in/eqCev6pb

The caregiving crisis is reshaping our workplaces — and recent data from Guardian Life reveals some startling trends: • The number of caregivers in the workforce has surged from 43.5 million in 2015 to 53 million in 2020. • Average caregiving time has nearly tripled from 9 to 26 hours weekly in just three years. • Working caregivers consistently report worse health across all dimensions compared to non-caregivers. As Gene Lanzoni, co-leader of Guardian Life's 1,000+ person Caregiving ERG, points out in a recent Fast Company article, this trend has significant implications for both employees and employers. With productivity dips, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover rates, the impact on businesses is substantial. "If leaders want to create a people-first culture that is both welcoming and high-performing, organizations need to support working caregivers," Lanzoni writes. "It's clear that they face physical, mental, and financial burdens—and they are looking for more help from their employers." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e8GaAVZS #workingcaregivers #ERGs #employeewellbeing

Wellthy has been named to Inc. Magazine’s “Inc 5000” list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.! The annual list celebrates the companies that are building the future and driving incredible growth, impact, and innovation across dozens of sectors. Wellthy is ranked in the top 30% of all companies, and in the top 100 in the Health Services sector — reflecting several years of growth and expansion that sees us covering millions of families and employees with care support through life’s most vital moments. And it’s Wellthy’s second consecutive year on the Inc. 5000 national list! Take a look at the list of celebrated companies who are making a huge difference in our economy, and touching the lives of so many people. We’re thrilled to be on the list! https://lnkd.in/ggUGydu #inc5000 #innovation

Leveraging her background in social work and personal experience caring for her mother—as well as her professional work with individuals facing physical disabilities, mental health issues, and substance misuse—Wellthy Care Coordinator Lorraine Smith shares: "I know how difficult it is to juggle work and family commitments along with looking after a loved one. When I work with families, I really can understand the energies, dynamics, and dilemmas they're going through. Where I may have not gone through what they have, I am able to listen to their experience and offer support in any way that I can." This is a sentiment that deeply resonates with Lorraine's own journey. For nearly two decades, she was the primary caregiver for her mother, who struggled with diabetes and other health issues. This experience taught her firsthand about the cultural expectations and personal sacrifices often involved in family caregiving. "Care is deeply personal and cultural," Lorraine explains. "My experience with caring for my mother may sound completely different to someone from a more modern or Western background, but it's a real factor in my lived experience." This unique perspective allows Lorraine to approach each family's situation with empathy and cultural sensitivity, recognizing that each caregiving journey is shaped by its own set of cultural norms and family dynamics. Discover how Lorraine's diverse background and cultural insights inform her compassionate approach to care coordination, and learn valuable advice for navigating the complex dynamics of family caregiving in Lorraine’s Caregiver Spotlight here: https://lnkd.in/ezsNgVec

New survey data from the University of Michigan National Poll on Aging published this week shows how major population shifts are driving substantial changes in the ways families experience caregiving—and tells a powerful story of how caregiving responsibilities are expanding each and every year as our population ages. Some key findings: - More than 1 in 4 people age 50 and older helps take care of at least one family member or friend who has a health issue or disability; - 1 in 10 caregivers in their 50s and early 60s are juggling taking care of three or more people; - About 32% of women aged 50 or older are caregivers, compared with 22% of men in the same age group; - The most common health issue that caregivers help their friends or family with was a physical disability or mobility challenge, followed by memory or thinking issues, and vision or hearing impairments Learn more about their findings—including how many caregivers over 50 still don’t fully understand what resources are available to them for help, and how caregivers look at the cost of caregiving—here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Kzks90 #research #caregivingdata #eldercare