Adult and elder care

Caregiving looks different for every family, and many employees are now caring for parents and/or siblings as dependents. If you need assistance finding temporary or long-term care solutions for a dependent adult or elder, the following resources and programs can help. These resources are available to all U.S. Microsoft employees eligible for benefits. 

 

Below you’ll find benefits such as, long-term housing or home care, information about the Enhanced Family Supports Program, legal services, temporary back-up care, available time off opportunities, employee connections, support with caregiving expenses, and concierge caregiver support. 

Complex Caregiving Support (Including housing or home care) 

 

You'll find resources to help you understand and deal with the care of aging family members. Home care and housing information and resources are available to help you find the best options for your loved ones. Go to Family Benefits to see a  summary of the resources available by life stage, including for adults and elders. 

 

For those in the MetLife Legal Plans, Family First provides cusotmized caregiving solutions at no additional cost if you elect the legal plan benefit. Family First provides unlimited access to a confidential, multi-disciplinary team of highly trained experts who will examine your unique caregiving situation and carete a holistic care plan for your loved one.

 

Microsoft has a special discount with Wellthy, a provider of personalized concierge caregiving support to help you tackle the logistical and administrative tasks of caring for the ones you love, including yourself. You can register yourself and use the allowable discount of $450 per care project per month. Use the code MICROSOFT100 for $100 off each of the first 4 months of services. 

 

Additionally, consider research and referral resources available from Spring Health. You can connect with Spring Health work-life consultants at any time, day or night via phone or Live Chat. 

 

These are approved caregiving expenses that can be reimbursed through Perks+. 

Family First, available through MetLife Legal, will create a personalized approach to caregiving that will ensure peace of mind for everyone involved. They address issues related to eldercare, special needs childcare, counseling and mental heatlh, legal and financial challenges, insurance and Medicare navigation, social determinants of health, navigating complex family dynamics, and expert homecare and placement. Employees in need of caregiving solutions are assigned a dedicated Care Expert with an average of 20 years' experience with advanced qualifications. 

 

Note: You may only enroll in MetLife services during Open Enrollment (which occurs in the fall), after a Qualifing Status Change, or when making elections after being hired. 

Enhanced Family Supports

 

Through the Enhanced Family Supports program, you receive free membership in Years Ahead and Sittercity. These services provide tools and resources that can help you choose the best elder care services for your family member. Access these and other services through Bright Horizons. 

 

Back-Up Care

 

There are several ways to access care for an adult dependent or elder family member through our Back-Up Care program. When the unexpected occurs, this program can help you find coverage. It's available through Bright Horizons, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can help you find and schedule temporary care for anyone who depends on you as a primary caregiver. Back-Up Care providers certified nursing assistants, home companions, and other trained professionals to care for healthy and mildly ill adults and elders. 

Time off

 

In some situations, you may need to take time off ot care for an adult dependent or elder family member instead of using back-up care or permanent care options. In addition to Holistic Health Time Off (HHTO), you can apply for Family Caregiver Leave which provides up to four weeks of paid leave and eight weeks of unpaid leave to care for a spouse/domestic partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild with a serious health condition. Visit our time away page to see what options are available to you. 

 

Connect with other employees in a similar situation

 

To get advice from other employees who are also trying to find care for a family member, connect with the Families Employee Resource Group. 

 

Support with caregiving expenses

 

If you are caring for a loved one, some caregiving expenses - such as adult/eldercare services, dependent care, or fees associated with caregiving planning and assistance - can be reimbursed through the Perks+ program. Microsoft PRIME offers solutions for family and adult care services, including independent living, assisted living and memory care, as well as in-home care. 

 

Expert medical opinion

 

If you are facing an important medical decision, Microsoft's Second Medical Opinion program offers expert medical advice for you or your extended family members. Administered by 2nd.MD for Surest members, and Teladoc Medical Experts for all other Microsoft employees, the program offers advocacy and support employees experiencing medical confusion and/or crisis. 

More resources

Life and Family

Family concierge

Minimizing my medical costs

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)