Caregivers Group

Welcome to the Caregivers Employee Resource Group (ERG), where we are dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of employees balancing work with caregiving responsibilities. Whether you are navigating the complexities of parenting, managing special needs situations, or providing eldercare and end-of-life support, our ERG is here to offer resources, community, and guidance. Our goal is to create a supportive network that understands and addresses the unique challenges faced by caregivers, fostering a workplace culture that values and supports the well-being of every employee. Join us as we work together to ensure that caregiving responsibilities are met with empathy, practical solutions, and shared understanding.

Events and Activities

Caregivers Meeting on November 21, 2024

We host 2-3 events each academic year, including:

  • Social gatherings to connect with fellow caregivers
  • Informational sessions on relevant topics
  • Workshops and seminars addressing specific caregiving challenges

We encourage members to suggest topics of interest for future events. To join our email list and stay informed about upcoming activities, please contact Karla Bunn at kbunn@wlu.edu.

Resources

Childcare

Eldercare

  • Health Advocate
  • Rehabilitation and skilled nursing care information
  • Connections Plus Hospice
  • Dependent Backup Care Program
  • Dependent Care Spending Account (up to $500 matching funds)
  • Faculty Meeting Dependent Care Program (for those who are required to stay after normal work hours for faculty meetings)
  • Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) – The Maury River Senior Center in Buena Vista is under the auspices of VPAS. MRSC doesn't have its own website. MRSC services and activities are combined with other senior centers in the counties of Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, and Bath. Individuals can contact the MRSC directly at 540-261-7474. Some of the free services they provide:
    • Meals on Wheels for anyone unable to make their own meals or leave their home.
    • Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) – this is part of a national network of programs that offers free, unbiased, confidential counseling and enrollment assistance for Medicare (A, B, D and supplements). They also provide counsel on Medicaid. Jason Bunn and Kim Austin have VICAP certification; however, we refer employees to VICAP for assistance.
    • Case Management – they assist qualified individuals over the age of 60.
    • Activities for Seniors – programming includes Tai Chi, line dancing, light yoga, fall prevention strategies, etc. View a calendar of activities for all VPAS agencies.
    • Caregivers – they maintain an informal list of non-vetted caregivers in the area and a list of agencies such as Home Instead.
  • Office for Aging Services (Resource)
  • HEALTH ADVOCATE provides eldercare assistance for employees and their eligible family members through the Generations program. Call 1-855-558-2004 or email answers@HealthAdvocate.com. Health Advocate can be reached at 866-695-8622 or visit the website.
  • Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, connecting people to services for older adults and their families. Visit the website or call 1-800-677-1116.
  • Alzheimer's Association (Virginia Chapters) – programs and services including support groups and educational workshops.
  • Department of Social Services/540-463-7143 (Request a "UAI Screening" and a social worker will interview the aging person and make recommendations for local resources available to them. If the person has Medicare, there is a number on the back of the card that you can call and ask for resources available to them.)
  • Mobile Food Pantry/540-458-8784
  • RARA/540-463-6943
  • Home Instead (caregivers)/540-213-7800
  • AmeriCare Plus/540-463-1676

By participating in our Caregivers ERG, you can:

  • Connect with colleagues facing similar challenges
  • Access valuable resources and information
  • Contribute to shaping workplace policies that support caregivers
  • Develop a support network within the organization

Join us as we work together to ensure that caregiving responsibilities are met with empathy, practical solutions, and shared understanding. Your experience and insights are valuable to our community, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Caregivers ERG.

We invite you to become part of our supportive Caregiver ERG community on Microsoft Teams! We've created three specialized teams to cater to different caregiving needs, each with dedicated channels for focused discussions and support. Simply choose the team that best fits your caregiving situation and use the provided join code to connect with others who share similar experiences.

Children Caregivers Group
For those caring for children of all ages
Join code: g4qe3lo

Eldercare Caregivers Group
For those supporting elderly family members or friends
Join code: tmox9p4

Medical/Disabilities Caregivers Group
For those caring for individuals with medical conditions or disabilities
Join code: e89hhqr

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