Professional News

Supporting Caregivers During Difficult Times

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 11, 2020)  Many members of the University of Kentucky community are faced with the important responsibility of providing support and care to an elderly loved one. Whether we’re working remotely during a pandemic or working on campus during our regular lives, support for caregivers is crucial. Now, more than ever, we are a family.  

One of the most important things UK community members can offer each other is guidance. For assistance with elder care, UK employees have access to elder care resources through UK HR Work-Life. 

May is Older Americans Month. For 2020, the Administration for Community Living selected a “Make Your Mark” theme in order to encourage and celebrate countless contributions that older adults make to our communities. This month, UK employees can take part in Older Americans Month by connecting with UK Elder Care through two events geared toward caregivers: 

Elder Care Caregivers Support Group  “Staying Together”  noon–1 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 

Elder Care Lunch & Learn  “Forgetfulness: What is Normal Aging and What Isn’t?”  12:10–12:50 p.m. Tuesday, May 19

Caregivers who are seeking more assistance can access UK Elder Care’s 6 Tenets of Self-Care handout. Those in need of more information can visit the UK Elder Care website or contact Terri Weber at terriweber@uky.edu

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.