Investment and commercial banking organisation JP Morgan introduced an eldercare element to its benefits scheme Family Homecare in February 2015.
Employees can select health screening and dental cover for their parents at the current corporate rates that they and their partners receive.
The new section of the organisation’s flexible benefits portal, Elements, provides employees with the opportunity to cover themselves, their partner and both their parents and parents-in-law for homecare assistance should an unforeseen accident or illness occur.
The assistance covers help with getting dressed, preparing meals, domestic chores, getting in and out of bed, travelling home from hospital and shopping. There is also a weekly care plan included.
Adam Brooke, employee benefits and wellness manager (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), says: “We found that eldercare really resonates with our diverse workforce, especially the element of fun the Elements website provides, which our staff really buy into. We will be asking for feedback via Elements.”
Assistance is provided by a comprehensive homecare provider network with fully trained, experienced care staff, and there is no maximum age limit for parents covered.
A key selling point of the service is that it also covers unexpected or unforeseen events such as medical treatments.
Brooke says: “On 16 February, our regional head of HR sent an email to all staff informing them of our new eldercare cover, and a couple of days later all employees received a personalised mini guide to their home address, outlining what is offered.
“We hope take-up will be between 5% and 10%, because, over the last few years eldercare has been an area that has grown immensely.”