Policy Update

Feds Offer Employers Guidance as Caregiver Discrimination Lawsuits on the Rise

USA Today recently reported that as the number of employees with elder and child care demands grows, more workers are filing lawsuits claiming they've been discriminated against on the job because of their family caregiving obligations. "Family responsibilities discrimination" is growing fast, according to the Center for WorkLife Law, which says the number of cases has risen by 400% in the last decade. Cases typically involve an employee who is caring for a child, elderly parent, or disabled spouse. The lawsuits involve caregivers that were retaliated against, not hired, or discriminated against by an employer because of caregiving responsibilities.

Many caregivers are concerned about workplace discrimination, to the point of hiding that they care for an aging or disabled relative out of concern that they will not be viewed as a good worker. According to the article, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reported an "upsurge" in caregiver discrimination cases, with many resulting in awards to plaintiffs. As a result, the EEOC recently issued its first guidance for employers about the issue that provides examples of how bias can occur so that employers are aware of the risk. Read More

Aging Californians Challenge State Health Care System

A recent feature article in California Healthline examines the expected challenges for the state's health care system, as California endures what many are calling "the silver tsunami—a rising wave of graying baby boomers who will need, and undoubtedly demand, a wide range of acute and long-term health care services." Data from the 2000 U.S. census showed that 3.6 million Californians (11 percent of the state population) were 65 or older. And that number is expected to triple by 2050. According to Dr. William Satariano, an epidemiologist and specialist in aging at UC-Berkeley's School of Public Health who was interviewed for the article, "In California, there are simply more older people. And one characteristic of the older population here that really distinguishes it from older people in other states is the racial and ethnic diversity." Read More

New Data on Nursing Home and Assisted Living Costs

The MetLife Mature Market Institute has released its market survey of nursing home and assisted living costs in the United States, revealing that nursing home costs have increased slightly while assisted living costs have remained steady. The survey findings show that the average daily rates for a private ($213) or semi-private ($189) room in a nursing home in 2007 increased about 3% from the 2006 rates. The national average daily rate for a private room in a nursing home is $77,745 annually, an increase from $75,190 annually in 2006.

The monthly base rate for assisted living rose only one dollar on average from $2,968 in 2006. The national average, private pay monthly base rate for an individual residing in an assisted living community is $2,969 or $35,628 annually. This is essentially unchanged from 2006 with $2,968 and $35,616, respectively. The report also notes that more assisted living facilities are providing dementia care (59 percent in 2007 versus 48 percent in 2006). The additional costs for dementia services average $1,110 per month. Read More

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