WQIO Ohio's Super Station
\The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging is partnering with Gorman-Rupp on a new pilot program designed to support employees who are balancing their jobs with caregiving responsibilities for an older family member or friend.
The Working Caregiver pilot uses a caregiver-support toolkit developed with funding from the Administration for Community Living and the University of Southern California Center for Advancing Family Caregiving Financial and Workplace Security.
The program is designed to help employers better understand the needs of employees who provide care for older adults while connecting those employees with available community resources.
As part of the pilot, Gorman-Rupp employees will have the opportunity to complete an optional survey. The survey will help identify employees who are working caregivers, provide a better understanding of their needs and increase awareness of services available through the Area Agency on Aging.
Tammy Rearic, Gorman-Rupp’s human resources manager, said working caregivers are an important part of the workforce, but some employees may not identify themselves as caregivers or know where to find assistance.
The partnership will give Gorman-Rupp an opportunity to test the toolkit and provide feedback that could help shape future efforts.
The Area Agency on Aging hopes the pilot can eventually help expand employer participation throughout the region as more employees find themselves balancing work with caring for older adults.
The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging is based in Ontario and provides services and resources for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and community organizations across the region.
The agency says the broader goal is to help caregivers maintain employment while also connecting them with resources that can help them navigate the challenges of caring for an aging family member or friend.
