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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.

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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 support of the group helpful. 

Register for CSEN Meetings

Reach out to Ruth Merle-Doyle for more information or to inquire about your participation in this group. 

Meeting Schedule

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 12:00 pm  

Sharing Your Story:  Caregiving for my spouse/partner – Challenges, joys and hopes for this unique experience

Our April CSEN meeting will be moment for "Sharing Your Story," a time to engage with each other through sharing and listening to caregiving experiences. We welcome all caregivers, but especially those who are or have been caring for their spouse/partner, a deeply complicated experience. We will start by reflecting on the question “My greatest challenge with caregiving for my spouse/partner hinges on…” Register above for this meeting.

Future 2023 Dates:

  • Thursday, March 9 at noon  
  • Thursday, April 13 at noon  
  • Thursday, May 11 at noon 
  • Thursday, June 8 at noon
  • Thursday, July 13 at noon
  • Thursday, August 10 at noon
  • Thursday, September 14 at noon
  • Thursday, October 12 at noon
  • Thursday, November 9 at noon 
  • Thursday, Dececember 14 at noon

Email worklife@cornell.edu to get the Zoom link for the meetings.

Past meeting recordings:

If you want to receive the recording or if you have questions, please email worklife@cornell.edu

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.