Starting a Caregiver Support Group

[by Joanne Reynolds]

If you can’t find an existing caregiver support group, what then? Simple. Start one. It can be done institutionally, such as by an employer or a large workforce, or a church or other faith community. The basic requirement for “critical mass” is about a half-dozen people, though even three people can have a lively and effective support group. They need to be willing to meet regularly. Here are some ideas:

· Talk to your loved one’s doctor to see if that office would be willing to put out the word among other patients and their caregivers so you could gather.

· Put out the word through your local community newspaper, cable access TV station, radio station or workplace newsletter. Put announcements in the newsletters of the local hospitals, and in the bulletins of local churches.

· Find a quiet, private spot where you can meet. Aside from an un-used office at work, other places might be at the local library, the senior center, the hospital or a church.

· When you meet, have a lightly organized agenda. Share caregiver information from an outside source, and perhaps have group members recommend an article they read in a magazine or on-line, a book or a website. After that let the members take turns talking about their concerns and questions.

· Be sure to get the members to agree not to interrupt anyone while she or he is talking. Questions at the end are OK. After a member has shared their concerns, the group can offer advice based on experience, if the sharing person would like it.

One group that is beginning to form in Southern California decided to use the 52 Design Review Sessions, or chapters of Blueprint for Caregiving as outlines for their meetings. Because each chapter is two to four pages in length, they provide just enough material on a single caregiving topic, and that makes Blueprint very useful for support groups.

Blueprint for Caregiving has four forms, all of which exist as print-out CDs. Blueprint for Cancer Caregiving, for Dementia Caregiving, for Elder Caregiving, and the generalized version under the title Blueprint for Caregiving. You can’t listen to them, but you can load them into your computer and read them on the monitor, or print them out to read wherever you go.

For more information about Blueprint for Caregiving, please visit www.blueprintforcaregiving.com

Blessings, Joanne

Comments

[Phuong]

wonderful rsouerce. I started a blog for caregivers of alzheimers, and as soon as I figure it out, I would like to link to this one.thanks, Donahue (caregiverrelief.wordpress.com)

[Valeria]

FrancineJanuary 21, 2012I have been a caregiver for my hasnubd for almost 13 years (next month). I have had a overnight here and there, but that's about it. I have cared for him through my own battle with cancer. He is like having a child that never grows up! He can't be left for long, I have to give him his baths, fix his plate, etc. But unlike a cute, fun little child, no one ever wants to watch him! And a respite place is very expensive. I had planned to send him to one last summer, and then he needed some emergency dental work done that took all the money I had saved and more! I am lucky in that I am able to leave him while I go grocery shopping, but I would never leave him to go on a day trip! It's my life too I wonder how long I will be able to drive, get around, etc. And here I am stuck at home constantly. And being my hasnubd .it may sound selfish, but I miss the Christmas gifts, the Valentine's gifts, the conversations, the helpfulness, the hugs, the love. (He suffered brain damage with his stroke and can't always get his thoughts correct, nor does he like to be touched for any type of hugs, etc.)

[Aef]

Good Evening;I am a Certified Nurses Aid & Certifed Family Home Provider in the State of Idaho. I have taken care of hospice, eeldrly, intellectually disabled and mentally ill in the last 12 years in my home with my family. I can never express the importance enough of how the training of a Certified Nurses Aid has assisted in the success of being able to provide the best care for people. I will never be able to express enough how much it has made a difference in families and my family as well. The problem we have run into in Idaho is that Certified Family Homes are not federally mandated and could potential be eliminated even though we are the cheapest to the State of Idaho. I hope that many more providers will promote Private Homes as an option for institutional or nursing home level of care. Eva