Family caregiving is often an act of love, connection, and commitment. It can be deeply meaningful and rewarding—but caring for a loved one can also bring emotional, physical, and practical challenges that are easy to overlook.
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University will present “Understanding the Family Caregiver Experience,” an interactive workshop designed to help participants better understand the realities of family caregiving while exploring tools and resources that can support caregiver well-being.
Recognizing the Caregiver Journey
Family caregivers often balance many responsibilities at once—from helping with appointments and everyday needs to providing emotional support, coordinating care, and managing the demands of their own lives.
Over time, those responsibilities can affect a caregiver’s emotional and physical well-being. Recognizing those challenges is an important part of ensuring that caregivers receive support, too.
During this interactive workshop, participants will explore the emotional, physical, and practical impact of caregiving and gain a better understanding of the unique experiences caregivers may encounter along the way.
The session will also provide practical tools and resources to help caregivers protect their own well-being while continuing to care for the people who matter most to them.
The workshop will be led by Michelle Melendez, MS, LCSW, CASAC, Behavioral Health Director of the STAR Health Center at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
Through an engaging and supportive discussion, Michelle Melendez will help participants recognize the importance of caregiver wellness and create space for conversations about the realities of caring for a family member.
Event Details
Understanding the Family Caregiver Experience
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM (Noon) – 1:00 PM
Location: Lecture Hall 1A, Health Science Building
Presenter: Michelle Melendez, MS, LCSW, CASAC
Behavioral Health Director, STAR Health Center
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Caring for Yourself Is Part of Caring for Others
Caregivers devote tremendous energy to supporting the health and well-being of the people they love. This workshop offers an opportunity to turn some of that attention inward—to better understand the caregiver experience, recognize its challenges, and discover resources that can make the journey more sustainable.
Join us on September 24 for an important conversation about supporting the people who spend so much of their lives supporting others.
