WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Could there be a “silent productivitykiller” waiting to strike at your credit union? According to theNational Alliance for Caregiving, one of every four householdscurrently provides care for an elderly relative. With the “sandwichgeneration” – those employees who have both children and parents tocare for – expected to increase over the next few years, expertssay it depends on if the credit union has taken elder care benefitsinto consideration. A survey by the Society of Human ResourceManagement finds that 23% of its members reported turnover becauseemployees were challenged with eldercare problems. The survey findsthat low-cost effective solutions can range from providing resourceand referral services, flexible schedules and working at home, tolong-term disability coverage at group rates, employee assistanceprograms and lunchtime sessions on elder care or support groups.Recently, Vancouver, British Columbia-based VanCity Credit Union'shuman resources department opted to take a more proactive approachby expanding the option of flexible scheduling to staffers withelder care needs. In additon, credit union employees who want tokeep in touch with their elderly relatives are provided pagers.Here is a look at how organizations are handling eldercare issuesacross the country: