At Helpr, we find ourselves at the intersection of life's most significant moments. We have the opportunity to witness the joy of childbirth and support family planning but also come alongside those facing one of life's most painful experiences: the final stages of a loved one’s life. We consider it a profound privilege to support individuals and families as they find themselves preparing for the loss of a beloved family member.
The reality of loss is a universal experience, an inevitable part of life that every person will face. Behind the screen, our care consultants and staff members are real individuals who have faced loss themselves. So, our approach to offering end-of-life care services goes beyond business; it's deeply personal and always driven by empathy.
A testimonial we recently received from Jacy shared that our Upload Your Own Provider service, where users can compensate family and friends for care tasks, was able to meet her needs. However, it also underscored the difficulties faced by employees who simply want to provide care for their loved one during their end of life. "I am an only child and have been my mother’s guardian for some time. In the past few weeks, her pancreatic cancer has taken its toll, and she was placed in hospice care, with me moving into her home full time until she passes."
Navigating the final days with a loved one, while juggling other life responsibilities, especially work, can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Jacy’s role required her presence on-site at work, making her time away from her mother particularly stressful. The emotional toll of being apart from a loved one in their last days can lead to significant stress, manifesting as memory issues, sleep disturbances, and a general decline in physical and mental health.
There is also a significant financial burden that comes with end-of-life care many don’t realize until they face the need for it. "The cost of caregivers (literally even an elder care 'sitter') are astronomical," Jacy explained. She’s right. The average cost of hospice during a loved one’s final month reaches figures that are far beyond what most of us could afford, hitting over $17,000 in some cases.
Fortunately, Jacy was able to source somebody she already knew to compensate and provide trusted care to her mother during this time. "The last few days of using the new Helpr benefit during the workday have been the most incredible blessing," she reflected. "I thought you might like to know that it is being well used over here and more than appreciated."
Our Upload Your Own Provider service is often utilized by the employees we support, but we understand that not everyone has access to a support network. Family and friends might live far away, not everyone has strong familial connections, and scheduling conflicts can pose challenges, which is why our Core Care service was put into place. Through Core Care, employees are connected with 1:1 concierges who listen to their stories with compassion and dedication, ultimately sourcing and vetting care providers, including in-home end-of-life nurses, who are ideal fits for individuals’ needs.
While supporting those in the midst of life's most challenging moments is a daunting task for our care consultants, it is also an opportunity for us to extend compassion and go the extra mile when it is most needed. Although we at Helpr cannot prevent the pain associated with loss, we can offer meaningful support to those navigating its approach, providing a semblance of peace in the midst of turmoil.
