Caregiving is stressful. Each caregiver deals with the stress in different ways, but the one thing that is evident is that it takes a toil on the mind, spirit and often even the body.
As an Activities Director I see this stress in a variety of different ways every day.
So I searched for an answer and decided to start a support group.
What are the benefits of a support group?
- A listening ear—we all need to vent and get our feelings out. This provides a safe place to release all of the frustration and tension that builds up.
- People that understand—the people there are in the same circumstance and know how you feel.
- A friendly smile—we all need a friendly smile and comforting nod.
You Are Not Alone in your journey - An outing—a chance to get out of the house for a short time
- Resources—other caregivers can provide resources that have been helpful to them to research and use.
- Tips and Suggestions—again, those in the support group can provide tips and suggestions to help with issues and frustrations.
- Opportunity to brainstorm—this group provides an opportunity to brainstorm for issues on how to overcome an obstacles or frustration.
- Bonus—New friends—this group provides you with the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
As a caregiver, I strongly encourage you to search for a caregiver support group in your local area. If one is not available, then start one.
What benefits have you found in a support group?