Here’s a list of caregiver support groups that will help you find a meeting place, in-person, or online, that’s right for you.
In a previous post, I wrote about the importance of making time to attend caregiver support groups, which is critical for anyone who cares for a loved one who is seriously ill.
Even if you hire a home health aide or place an elderly parent in a care facility, it’s important to connect with others dealing with similar concerns: from managing healthcare to financial decisions to emotional distress and coping strategies.
The Caregiver Action organization provides some great tips on choosing a group based on your needs on their support group page.
Apart from the resources listed below, you might consider looking into caregiver support group meetings at area agencies on aging, disease-specific voluntary organizations, faith communities in churches or temples, adult day care centers, hospice providers and community outreach programs at hospitals.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS
1. Find local support groups via Community Resource Finder at The Alzheimer’s Association.
2. Contact your local Easter Seals office to find out about caregiver support group meetings in your area. Additional support is available through the Easter Seals Caregiver’s Spokespersons Network, which are based in several U.S. cities, including Miami.
3. Today’s Caregiver offers caregiver support group listings from around the country.
4. The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, can help you find local caregiver support groups.
5. Find caregiver support groups across the country at Meetup.com. Specify your zip code for more localized meetups. If none are available, consider starting your own.
ONLINE CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS
6. The Alzheimer’s Association offers several discussion boards and a Solutions section in an easy-to-read question and answer format.
7. Emblem Health’s Care for the Family Caregiver Program shares stories on Facebook.
8. AARP has an extensive discussion forum just for caregivers in their caregiver support online community.
9. Caregiving.com offers two forums, Connect With Others in a Similar Situation plus Vent and Share, as well as numerous caregiving support online groups, a live chatroom, a Tweet chats and tips on starting a caregiver support group in your own community.
10. The Caregiver Space, a website founded by a caregiver, has a number of forums for caregiver support.
I hope you’ve not only enjoyed, but will put these resources to good use…
Take care!
–Maria de los Angeles is an award-winning writer based in Miami who became a caregiver to her parents in 2008. Since then, she has been a passionate advocate for eldercare and caregiver issues.
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