Caregiver support groups

Caregivers, and healthcare professionals, here is some great information


Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,


Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire


Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be


Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two


Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition

Preserving Your Memory

Any professional will tell you

“support” is one of the most

important factors in dealing

with Alzheimer’s disease. Whether

you’re the person with the disease,

the caregiver or a family member,

an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be a

lonely, terrifying experience. For many

families, the only source of information

is the doctor, books and internet

searches. Although they may offer

some solace, nothing compares to the

personal experience of others who have

“been there and done that” or are going

through the same situations as you.

The fastest and easiest way to find

people who can provide you with that

valuable information is by seeking out

a support group.

A Family Affair

Support groups are beneficial for

patients and their loved ones.

For patients:

“Talking with people who are in the

same stage of the disease progression

allows the person to share what they’ve

been experiencing and take comfort in

knowing they’re not the only person

this is happening to,” says Brian Carpenter, Ph.D., a psychologist who specializes in aging at Washington University in St. Louis. Talking to others who

are further along in the disease can give

a patient a sense of what might be coming down the road and how they might

be better prepared, he adds.

The social aspect is also a plus.

“Sometimes when people begin to

develop dementia, they find themselves

less comfortable going out in public

and being with other people because

they’re so conscious about their memory lapses,” Dr. Carpenter says. “Being

in a support group forces one to get out

and socialize with others in a setting

where they don’t necessarily need to

feel so self-conscious about any cognitive difficulties,” he says.

For caregivers:

Support groups give caregivers a safe

environment to vent, share their experiences and learn different tips to help

manage daily care and handle more

severe symptoms like aggression or

wandering, Dr. Carpenter says.

For family members:

Support groups can help those in

non-caregiving roles to learn more

about dementia and ways the family

can support their loved one and the

caregiver.

What to Look for

“Support groups offer you the

opportunity to educate your mind and

your heart,” says Mary Underwood,

Corporate Director for Memory Care

Services for Maplewood Senior Living in Westport, Conn. “You should

expect to intellectually learn something

about the disease and also learn how to

deal with it on an emotional level,” she

explains.

A good support group can be a wonderful resource. However, one that is

unorganized or improperly managed

can do more harm than good, experts

say. When searching for a support group,

ask yourself the following questions.

What kind of group do I/we need?

Although most groups are for caregivers, there are many types of groups

available. “There are groups for couples, for family members, for just the

patient, for just the caregiver, and there

are groups for both the patient and

caregiver,” says Nancy Squillacioti,

Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s

& Dementia Resource Center in Orlando. There are also online and telephone support groups.

Who is the facilitator? Our preference is a group facilitated by a professional rather than a volunteer, Squillacioti says. A professional facilitator has the

skill and training to manage the group

well and to key in on critical issues that

shouldn’t be ignored, she explains.

What is the make-up of the group?

Having a diverse group of members

is important, says Underwood. “You

don’t want everybody there to be at the

beginning stage of the disease process

because there will be more questions

than answers. You want a combination

of people who have been caregivers for

several years and those who are just starting out, so that they can help each other

and offer different perspectives,” she says.

Is the time and location convenient? Make sure the group has times

and locations that work for you and

your loved one. If you frequently have

to miss meetings due to your schedule,

or you have to travel a far distance,

you’re less likely to benefit as much

from that particular group.

Are things confidential? Usually,

groups are confidential, but it’s best

to confirm the confidentiality policy.

“Unless there’s a serious risk [like talk

of harming yourself or others], what

you say in meetings should be confidential and not repeated outside of the

group,” Underwood says.

What to expect

Every support group is different;

however, things generally happen in

a similar format. Some groups do

introductions of first names, Squillacioti

says. Then, sometimes there are speakers. After introductions and any presentations, the facilitator usually asks if

anyone has anything pressing to share.

“This gives participants the opportunity to speak about any really serious

issues immediately,” Squillacioti says.

Once urgent matters are addressed,

Underwood says everyone has a chance

to talk about any issues, struggles or

exciting news. “You can share as little or as much as you’re comfortable

doing,” she says.

Usually support groups are free.

Depending on how many members and

whether there are any special speakers,

group meetings last anywhere from an

hour to two hours, Underwood says. ■