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Caregiver Support

Whether taking care of an older relative or a child with health conditions, the responsibilities of a caregiver can take a toll on their well-being. To assist faculty and staff who fulfill the role of a caregiver, we have compiled resources and recorded a series of webinars that tackle topics such as self-care, must-have legal documents, the Family Medical Leave Act and more.

On-demand webinars

Caring From a Distance

If you have an elder who requires assistance, yet does not live near you, helping out may seem difficult. However, distance doesn’t mean you can’t provide comfort and care for your elder. By devising care strategies, developing emergency plans and building a support system of family, friends and local resources, your elder can have the care and attention he or she needs.

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Coping With Compassion Stress

Whether they are working with individuals who are experiencing trauma, grief, loss, illness or other stressful concerns the people whose role it is to help others in distress are often perceived as dedicated, hardworking, selfless and compassionate. Nevertheless, it is often those whose mission it is to help others who may be at increased risk of neglecting their own self-care. Hosted by ComPsych, this training will raise awareness of the need to maintain appropriate self-care despite the demands of work and/or the pressures of home life.

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Legal Documents for Caregivers

From medical power of attorneys to living wills and more, join UF Select Preferred Legal attorney Elizabeth Kominsky as she walks you through the legal documents you should have in place as a caregiver.

Download the handout

Planning for Long-term Care

Join John Foltz, a volunteer at the Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, or SHINE, Program as he discusses how to plan for long-term care, who to contact and health insurance must-haves. At the end of the webinar, you will be aware of federal and state programs available to caregivers and receive additional resources to help you prepare for the long-term care of your loved one.

Download the handout

FMLA for Caregivers

Join UFHR Benefits Leave Manager Jessica McLane as she delves into the Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, and how it can benefit UF employees who are caregivers.

Additional resources:
FMLA eligibility calculator
Download the PowerPoint

When Someone You Love has Alzheimer’s

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease the impact on family and caregivers is enormous. Hosted by ComPsych, this course will address some of the basic considerations involved in caring for and communicating with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease. The course will cover some of the basic facts of the disease along with the unique challenges and stress it brings to the family.

Additional resources

The UF Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, offers someone to talk to and resources to consult whenever and wherever you need them. Visit the EAP website to schedule an appointment with a counselor.

Grief is a very normal and common emotion that is often misunderstood and kept isolated. In an attempt to normalize grief and the grieving process, we’ve partnered with Taylor Williams, UF adjunct professor and founder of Gainesville Guts and Glory, to offer the Grief and Coping with Loss workshop. Click here to access the program.

Calm is a mindfulness app that features pre-recorded audio content designed to help manage stress, anxiety and insomnia. UF faculty and staff can sign up for a Calm subscription and add up to five dependents, 16 years of age or older. Sign up today!

Visit the Resilience and Emotional Well-being Toolkit for resources to support individuals navigating some of life’s most common challenges. Packed with practical tip cards and additional resources curated from various UF departments, this toolkit offers guidance on managing anger, regulating emotions, coping with anxiety, practicing self-care, and overcoming depression, among other essential topics.

Visit the Employee Wellness Series webpage and explore live and on-demand wellness webinars, available to all UF faculty and staff.