Health Shield is extending its post-hospital care offering to members’ parents.
The health cash plan provider says it aims to help reduce the pressure on employers and workers caring for sick family members after they return home from hospital.
The plan previously covered members and their partners, if on the plan, for 14 hours of home-based care after a pre-planned hospital stay of two or more nights. Now it will also be broadened to cover members’ parents and their partner’s parents if applicable.
Health Shield said this extension will assist members with the sometimes difficult situation of needing to care for parents after a stay in hospital when they may find it tough to get the necessary time off work.
One in nine workers are caring for a family member who is older, disabled or seriously ill, according to figures from Employers for Carers.
“It is a more common scenario for employees to need support in looking after their parents following a hospital stay as, with age, the complications of returning home increase,” said Health Shield chief executive, Jonathan Burton.
“Therefore, we have extended our Home Assistance programme to provide benefit of real value to people in a greater number of circumstances, and to help employers manage absence while supporting their employees.”
Simon Curtis, senior consultant at Premier Companies, welcomed the changes. “Employers generally recognise the demands children place on their employees, but few consider the impact parent illness can have,” he said.
“Health Shield’s move to include post hospital assistance for employee’s parents is therefore a very welcome addition and one that we fully support.”
