Double Relief Provided by famPLUS: Ill Parents Well Taken Care Of

How important it is for an employee to be able to do their job without worries about their closest relatives was something Karl P.* knew theoretically from his work in healthcare.

But then in March 2015, the team leader himself found himself in a situation where both parents' health deteriorated significantly: "My parents both fell seriously ill at the same time, it was a real stroke of fate. And I personally experienced that my ability to perform was limited by this burden," recalls the 39-year-old.

After all, Karl P. was lucky in this situation that his employer, MTU Aero Engines, announced the cooperation with famPLUS on the intranet at just the right time: "That was a stroke of luck. I read the text, thought, this is something for me, and already had the phone in hand to call famPLUS," reports the team leader. He evaluates the help he received immediately as very structured, extremely professional, and overall extremely positive.

For me, it was also very pleasant that I always had the same contact person who was well acquainted with my particular case," praises P. about the consulting service from famPLUS. He experienced his personal famPLUS consultant as empathetic, flexible, competent, and resilient, which made it easy for him to open up.

It was positive for the 39-year-old that the consultations considered the issues of both parents being ill and always kept the overall context in mind. He quickly felt understood and supported: "I received compact, tailored information. That saved me a lot of time and nerves.

Within 2-3 weeks, says Karl P., he had arranged the care and support for his parents with the help of famPLUS to such an extent that he could fully concentrate on his work again. "I cannot be productive in terms of the company if I have to worry about my relatives in private," this is now even clearer to the team leader than it was theoretically before his parents' illness.

famPLUS provided me with the tools, recommended local networks, and showed me ways, and then I decided what was best for my parents. We were not faced with a fait accompli but were well supported by experts," Karl P. summarizes his experiences. famPLUS was also very flexible regarding the scheduling of consultation appointments: "The availability beyond normal working hours was very good. Even on the weekend, my contact person had time for me!

The team leader appreciates that his employer MTU covers the complete consulting costs. "The company has understood that this makes sense and pays off," explains the 39-year-old. "Because if I were to be absent from work, it would cost my employer much more." Compatibility of work and family, especially in the area of eldercare, is becoming an increasingly important issue, Karl P. estimates, and he is certainly right about that – the age curves speak for themselves. "That's why I think it's good and right that MTU is getting involved here.

It's beneficial for everyone!" is the conclusion of the team leader, who would have gladly foregone the personal experience of urgently needed care for his parents, but now knows even more clearly on a professional level the valuable contribution that professional advice and assistance can make to a functioning work life. He will certainly recommend the service from famPLUS.

*Name anonymized, all facts correct

famPLUS - Together for your personal PLUS!