According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly one-quarter of adults cared for a family member in the past month. Caregiving can quickly turn into an all-consuming endeavor with full-time hours and skyrocketing stress levels. Fortunately, a caregiver support group can help you form a community focused on caring for you.
You Are Not Alone
Joining a caregiver support group puts you in contact with others who know what it’s like to maintain two homes at once or to squeeze grandma’s appointments into an already full workday. Sit, listen, and feel at home. When it’s your turn to talk, expect unconditional acceptance from others who are walking down a similar path.
You Can Find Better Ways
While you’re listening to others, you’ll learn how they’ve approached caregiving. Some of the strategies they share might work quite well for you. Others might not be right for your family or personal situation. Listen with an open mind that includes a willingness to try new things, and you may find a solution or two to your caregiving challenges.
More Help Is Available Than You Know
Some individuals attend caregiver support groups for a decade or more. People with this kind of experience provide a wealth of knowledge regarding community resources and other helpful information. If you need some help making sure dad eats a nutritious lunch or gets a nice clean shave before leaving for the day, ask others in the group. There’s a good chance that at least one of them can provide you with a name or two for high-quality professional services.
Caring for an aging parent or grandparent is a rewarding and rigorous endeavor. To succeed, you must surround yourself with as many knowledgeable and caring people as possible. Joining a caregiver support group will help you meet and even grow to love the challenge of caregiving.
