Caring for Elders and Other Adults

The Office of Work/Live provides all benefits-eligible employees options for short-term backup care and resources for longer-term solutions.

Planning Resources

Harvard offers multiple resources that can help faculty and staff plan for and support an elder or other adult. 

  • Harvard's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides advice and recommendations on any elder- or adult-care issue, and referrals to resources nationwide. The EAP can also connect faculty and staff to related supports such as financial, legal and mental-health resources.
  • The Senior Care Solutions program, provided by Care.com, helps faculty and staff navigate the ever-changing demands of caring for an aging family member or other adult by connecting them with a professional senior care advisor, a licensed geriatric social worker who is an expert in adult and elder care. The program also provides referrals and access to vetted services around the country.
  • Please refer to this Adult/Elder Care Resource Guide for more information and instructions on how to access these services. 
    • Note:You must register before you need it! To use any service provided by Care.com, Harvard faculty and staff must first acknowledge and accept a waiver of liability. The process of agreeing to the terms of the waiver is now done through PeopleSoft. The waiver language and instructions for pre-registering can be found in the Waiver and Registration Instructions document. Please begin by reviewing it and following the instructions. Please go to the Care.com Overview page to learn about all that Care.com offers.

Backup Care

If an adult relative’s needs or care arrangements suddenly change or your regular care is unavailable, Harvard offers access to backup care to cope with a short-term need.

  • Care.com Backup Care is a service that sends a screened and qualified care provider to your adult relative’s home. 
    • Note:To use any service provided by Care.com, Harvard faculty and staff must first acknowledge and accept a waiver of liability. The process of agreeing to the terms of the waiver is now done through PeopleSoft. The waiver language and instructions for pre-registering can be found in the Waiver and Registration Instructions document. Please begin by reviewing it and following the instructions.  Please go to the Care.com Overview page to learn about all that Care.com offers.
  • Please also note: Adult back-up care may require an assessment of care needs and therefore as much time as possible should be allowed.
     
  • The SOURCE Program provides employees up to $350 per year to help pay for back-up care. Benefits-eligible employees with a full-time equivalent annual salary of less than $75,000 are eligible.