Elder and Adult Care
We know that providing care for a loved one can add pressure to an already demanding university career and family life. We're here to help.
Work/Life Program Manager
Cornell provides a work/life service to staff, faculty, students, and retirees. The program manager can help with locating adult/elder care resources in the community and assist caregivers who are providing care from a distance.
Ruth Merle-Doyle
607-255-1917
rem64@cornell.edu.
Caregiver Support & Education Network Meetings
Cornell Caregiver Support and Education Network (CSEN) meetings provide an opportunity for caregivers to build community and obtain knowledge and support. Participants support each other through storytelling, sharing helpful resources and strategies, and open discussion. At times, attendees will learn from guest experts about evidence-based approaches to caregiving on key topics.
Meetings are currently offered virtually via Zoom and all Cornellians are welcome regardless of caregiving experience or ability/desire to share. We honor those who obtain support through listening as well as those who are no longer caregiving yet find the camaraderie of the group helpful.
Reach out to Ruth Merle-Doyle for more information or to inquire about your participation in this group.
Resources
- Caregiver Support & Education Network (CSEN): See above. Monthly meetings to learn and share strategies and tools for coping with stress, caregiver guilt, and burnout, as well as information on local and national resources. Contact Ruth Merle-Doyle for more details.
- Elder Care E-List (type “join” in the subject): Receive and send emails that connect you with other caregivers and local resources.
Wellness
- Care.com Membership: Locate caregivers to help aging or disabled adults with companionship, errands, housekeeping, and more with a free Cornell-sponsored Care.com membership.
- Healthy Aging: Fitness & wellness classes designed for every size, shape, age, and ability; great for individuals who have had a joint replacement, suffer from arthritis, want to improve balance, etc.
Financial Assistance
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Account: This benefit helps you reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by taking advantage of a federal law that gives you an immediate tax break when paying for dependent care services covered under the program.
- Faculty Dependent Care Travel Fund: Offers tenure track and tenured faculty up to $1,000 ($1,500 for dependent children with special needs) per academic year in direct expenses for dependent-care expenses incurred while traveling to attend professional meetings, conferences, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: Benefit designed to cover costs associated with extended long-term care due to a chronic disease or long-lasting disability.
- Travel Assistance to NYC for Medical and Other Emergencies: The Emergency CARE Fund provides round-trip bus tickets on the Campus-to-Campus Bus to current employees.