University of Washington Human Resources

Adult and elder care

Last updated: July 6, 2023

When supporting an adult relative or loved one you may need consultation, education or help finding care. PEBB-eligible UW employees and students have access to several resources that can help.

Caregiving supports

Backup care through Bright Horizons provides care for your adult relative when regular arrangements fall through unexpectedly. The caregiver comes to your relative, whether your family member lives with you or not, and is available nationwide. PEBB-eligible employees and UW students can use Bright Horizons backup care up to five days per household per calendar year. Once registered, reservations can be made as far as one month in advance of the date care is needed. All in-home care agencies in the Bright Horizons network are credentialed and employ trained caregivers, and the providers participate in an extensive screening and training.

In-home adult and elder care co-payments are negotiated at subsidized rates, starting at $32 for up to four hours of care with each additional hour costing $8. Backup care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and availability is not guaranteed. At the time of service, employees and students are responsible for co-pays.

Register today to ensure peace of mind tomorrow! You are strongly encouraged to request care as far in advance as possible, up to 60 days in advance. Before using backup care, take the following steps to register with Bright Horizons and create your personal account:

• • On the sign in page, click “sign up”
  • Enter UnivWa in the employer username field
  • Enter 4Backup in the employer password field
  • Create your personal Bright Horizons user name and password
  • Enter your family’s information

Backup care cancellations must be made 24 hours prior to the date of care to avoid charges. If you need to cancel your appointment, do so before 5 p.m. on the day prior to your scheduled care. If you cancel after this deadline, you’ll be billed for all the hours you originally scheduled.

If you have problems registering, call Bright Horizons at 877-242-2737.

Companion caregivers: As a PEBB-eligible UW employee or UW student, you are eligible for a free Sittercity membership, which includes tools for connecting with adult and elder companion caregivers. You can run an unlimited number of basic background checks on prospective caregivers and view results of those you previously completed. You can also get an enhanced background check for an additional fee (ranging from $20-$60).

Many people find that Sittercity is a great solution for finding care once they have used all of the annual backup care visits they have available.

To access Sittercity tools and resources, visit Bright Horizons UW website and locate the “Find sitters, nannies, pet care and more” card under care programs for your family; click “use it” to access the registration page. This will bring you to UW’s Sittercity homepage, where you will create a username and password to gain access and begin to search for care solutions.

Already registered with Sittercity? You can use your existing username and password to access the SitterCity website. You will need to contact Sittercity membership services at 1-888-748-2489 to have your account associated with the University of Washington.

Navigating adult and elder care concerns

Years Ahead, offered through Bright Horizons, offers an online needs assessment for your loved one, as well as resources to learn about elder care options, access elder care resources, and get guidance in finding senior care providers near you or your loved one.

You are also able to search a nationwide network of senior care providers that includes in-home agencies, independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, memory care, and nursing homes. You can browse providers’ profiles, which may include program information, photos, experience and capabilities, pricing, and reviews. The site also offers articles, cost calculators, and other tools to help you make an informed decision about care for your loved one.

To access Years Ahead, visit Bright Horizons UW website and locate the “Find eldercare resources” card under care programs for your family; click “use it” to access the registration page. This will bring you to UW’s Sittercity and Years Ahead shared homepage, where you will create a username and password to gain access and begin to search for care solutions. Select “Years Ahead” in the membership activation form, and then create a username and password to gain access.