Caring for ourselves, our families, and our community involves all kinds of new challenges, but we’re here to support one another. Below, you’ll find helpful resources for taking care of yourself and your family, as well as perks and deals that the community has offered up to show appreciation for the work that you do as caregivers.
Resources from UMass Memorial
UMass Memorial itself offers many resources for its employees. As announced in recent Command Center emails. The Caring for the Caregiver program provides resources, such as virtual peer support, wellness apps, child care assistance, and discounted accommodations for caregivers. More information on these programs is available on our Caring for the Caregiver page.
Sign Up to Receive Care Texts: Care Texts were launched today as a part of our Caring for the Caregiver efforts. These short, to-the-point daily texts are designed to support you with wellness resources and other inspiring ideas. To sign up, text CARE to 81411. UMass Memorial-issued phones will receive them automatically, and you can opt out at any time. Visit the Hub to learn more.
UMass Memorial Caregiver Support Line: Caregivers seeking peer support, family services, mental health resources, spiritual care, help finding online wellness resources, or just a place to talk can call 508-334-HELP. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Groceries 2 Go: The cafeteria on the University Campus continues to offer a convenient Grocery 2 Go pick-up service for on-site caregivers. The service will be offered at a later date on the Memorial Campus. Visit Hub news for more details on how to place an order.
Music for Resilience: Now more than ever is the time to use your music to help you rest, release, or reboot. Curious? Jump on Zoom and come check it out: Fridays at 5pm and Mondays at 4pm. Have a piece of paper and some colors handy. Recommended, but not required, headphones or earbuds and a way to access your preferred music choices (YouTube, Spotify, or however you store your music). You may need to have Zoom downloaded on your computer or phone in advance. Here’s the Zoom link: https://umassmed.zoom.us/j/97730895460
Employee Assistance Program: As always, the hospital’s free and confidential EAP service is here to support SHARE members and the hospital community. Many additional coronavirus-specific resources are currently listed on the EAP website.
A Few More Odds & Ends
The Average Socialite website publishes an ongoing list of perks and freebies for healthcare workers
Thrillist collects up a similar list of nationwide chains offering free food for healthcare workers
This one’s not for caregivers exclusively, but if you’re also homeschooling right now, you might appreciate this thorough roundup of children’s authors and illustrators hosting online storytime sessions
Popular mindfulness and meditation apps including Headspace and Ten Percent Happier currently offer free premium memberships to healthcare workers to help during the COVID-19 crisis
In case you missed it, the SHARE blog also previously rounded up this collection of resources that can be helpful to SHARE members during hard times.
Do you know of other aids or deals for caregivers that could benefit SHARE members? Please let us know. And keep your eye on this blog as well as the SHARE homepage. As we learn of more opportunities, we’ll be sure to post them.
