Solutions for Successful Aging

Why go to a caregiver support group?

I have been facilitating Caregiver Support Groups for 5+ years and each time I finish one, no matter how bad a person felt coming in, they always feel so much better going out. There is nothing like sharing life stories with other people that have either gone through what you have gone through or are experiencing for the first time something you have dealt with. Those caregivers who have had hands on experience with the various family issues which arise while caregiving can make for the best sounding board. You can talk all day to a best friend, but unless they have journeyed down the path of caregiving for an aging loved one, they often can't relate to the varying emotions that take place.
In addition, when you can help somebody deal with a problem you encountered, be it last week or a year ago, it not only benefits them, but helps you to gain perspective and realize how much you have really grown from the caregiving role. A role that is tough, even on the best of days.
Whether it be your spouse, mother or grandfather that you are caring for, as the roles and needs change, having a group of people that can relate to you is like breathing a breath of fresh air. A release from holding it all in and struggling to figure out what will come next. So make the time and take the opportunity, be it weekly or monthly and as the song says,"Just Breathe".

Comment by Robyn Blaikie Collins on September 10, 2008 at 10:25pm: totally agree, and appreciate your expert perspective... as you watch it in action and participate in daily life change. tell us more about ways that people can impact each other. you are in the trenches with so many people that are living it, can't wait to hear you...

Comment by Bryan Ford on September 18, 2008 at 3:08pm: Excellent advice, Dawn. This site was created to provide a virtual support group so that our experiences can be shared and we can listen to others and walk away feeling much better.
Thank you for your insights, please add more.

Comment by Ginny on September 30, 2008 at 1:54pm: Staying "just pinned together" each day robs us of peace and joy. That's not how we are supposed to live...at least not every day! A few moments of fresh air, a cup of coffee and a few pages read in my Bible and a good book. These are treasured moments! It is such a help to know others are on the same path with us. Thanks, Dawn...I am now trying to breathe :-)

Comment by Jeanette Meyer on October 12, 2008 at 7:50pm: Thank you for your comments about our common journey that we all are on together. When you said, "just breathe" this week I truly had to tell myself that. I am not sure, but I think I had some sort of " anxiety" and I could not breathe. My chest became real tight, and ached, actually hurt. I did have to tell myself to "just breathe deep breaths" and see what the outcome would be. This was the first time something like that happened and I was alittle troubled. Since then, things are back to normal. I laid down and rested alot that day, no matter what. I took care of my mom in the simplest ways that day and did take care of myself. I went out like Ginny said and got fresh air, read my Bible, and gave myself a warning talk, that I must be more diligent to rest on this journey that we all are on right now. Thank you Dawn for your writing and letting me see that I am not alone during this time. I appreciate all of you even though none of us have ever met.