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I write this special EPIC letter with six purposes:
(1) to draw your attention to a promising and important project EPIC proposes to begin with the help of Professor Emerita Carol Liebman of the Law School, the creation of an EPIC AGING SUPPORT NETWORK
(2) to invite you and your guest to EPIC’s end-of-the-year event and celebration on May 6, 2025
(3) to assure you know of a petition to the Columbia Board of Trustees being circulated among Columbia faculty for added signatures
(4) to make you aware of an event of broad interest on May 1, a Webinar on Universities under Attack, not sponsored by EPIC, but one which may be of interest
(5) to provide you with information about a nine-week program for those suffering from memory loss, which will begin April 24 and run through June 26
(6) to call your attention to other upcoming events that may be of interest
1. EPIC AGING SUPPORT NETWORK
EPIC members as a group could become a really useful practical resource for those among us who are facing the predictable and, in many cases, inevitable consequences of aging.
While we have members who are enjoying comparatively robust health, we also have many who are coming to terms with the fact that they need more help with the details of daily living and/or who are confronting cognitive decline or other challenges. Yet others have become the principal caretaker of a loved one who is experiencing these issues. Some of us are already in retirement communities which provide independent living, assisted living, and memory care units as residents’ needs change.
Professor Carol Liebman (Emerita, Law) and a member of EPIC’s Steering Committee, suggests that we need an easily accessible and easy-to-use information-sharing platform where people might share experiences in response to the following sorts of questions:
- I am looking for a reliable home health aide agency. Does anyone have a good experience with an agency in Manhattan (or Westchester or North NJ)?
- I need live-in help. I am looking for a caring reliable person to hire privately. Anyone have recommendations or relevant experience?
- I would welcome joining a support group with others facing the same challenges I have as a caretaker; or as a person experiencing cognitive decline.
- My spouse needs a skilled physical therapist who will come into the home in Manhattan – any recommendations?
- My spouse and I are approaching the point where we should leave our apartment and go into a senior community with a range of support services. We can afford to pay up to $12,000/month for a one or two-bedroom apartment. Any recommendations (Manhattan, North Jersey, Westchester, Long Island)?
We recognize that such an information exchange might entail sharing of confidential or intimate matters, and will make every effort to assure that such an info exchange platform is exclusive to EPIC members and their families.
We propose to establish a Google Group to which EPIC members may subscribe either because they want to share their experience on such issues with others, or because they feel in need of help themselves.
Please email epic@columbia.edu if you feel this might be useful to you, or if you think you have experience that might be relevant to others. We will send back the URL of the Google Group. Either Prof. Liebman or I will follow up individually with each person who replies to understand how such an information exchange might be helpful to shape next steps.
2. EPIC ANNUAL MEETING AND LUNCH DISCUSSION ON MAY 6, 2005, Skyline Dining Room, Faculty House, 11 am–1:30 pm followed by a festive wine and cheese reception, 1:30–3 pm. Spouses/partners welcome! Registration links below.
General Meeting Agenda, 11 am–12 noon
Report of the President – Report of the Retiree Medical Benefit Committee
Brief Program Reports
- Drama Society (Connie Nathanson)
- Douglas Chalmers Graduate Scholars Lectures (Daniel Thys)
- EPIC Conversations (Peter Messeri)
- Chamber Music Program (Carolyn Greenberg/Steven Stellman)
- Yoga (Virginia Papaioannou)
- Developing an Aging Support Network (Carol Liebman)
Greeting from Provost Angela Olinto
Election of the Steering Committee and Officers of EPIC for 2025–2026
Modifications of the EPIC Charter
Approval of 2025–2026 Annual Budget and Dues Level
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