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 April 2007 Back to Table of Contents Back to Archives Main Page Section: WNY Caregivers Caregiver Support Groups By Lisa M. Petsche
Purpose The overall goal of caregiver support groups is to enhance participants’ coping skills through mutual support and information-sharing. Objectives may include: • validating the important role of family caregivers. • exploring the challenges and rewards of caregiving. • acknowledging the emotional impact of a family member’s illness and exploring coping strategies. • group problem-solving of practical issues; providing education about disease processes, behavioral issues and management strategies. • identifying and addressing obstacles that seniors and their caregivers encounter in the community. • recognizing caregiver needs balanced to needs of their loved one. Benefits and Limitations Benefits of group involvement include: • realizing you are not alone; feeling supported and understood. • having the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings in an empathic, non-judgmental environment. • learning from other caregivers. • gaining satisfaction from helping others on the caregiving journey. • making new friends. • keeping current on caregiving issues and resources. • recognizing importance of self-care. A group setting isn’t suited to everyone and may not be as helpful for those who are: • very shy or private in nature. • self-focused: as longstanding personality trait or due to extreme stress. • expressing significant, often longstanding personal issues such as a psychiatric illness or conflicted relationship with the care recipient. In such cases, individual counseling may be a better approach. Attending a group also may not be feasible due to severe hearing impairment or an inability to obtain respite care or transportation. Caregivers in such situations should explore: • telephone support networks. • online caregiver message boards. Defining Caregiver Groups Some caregiver groups are very general and open to everyone. Others are specific to certain populations, such as caregivers of older adults or caregivers for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Some groups are quite structured, with set agendas and built-in time constraints (typically four to six weekly or bi-weekly sessions). Led by health care professionals, these groups are primarily educational in nature, and often include guest speakers. More informal groups focus primarily on emotional support. Member sharing of thoughts, feelings and experiences is key. Facilitators may be experienced caregivers or professionals who work with caregivers. Evaluating the Support Group Experience Is this the right group? • Are group norms — such as taking turns and respecting differing viewpoints — clearly observed? • Can you relate to other members’ experiences? • Does the facilitator appear knowledgeable about caregiving issues and resources? Is he or she articulate, sensitive and skilled in maintaining focus, generating discussion, preventing individuals from dominating, and recognizing when someone needs outside help? Highly rated groups also emphasize caregiver strengths, incorporate some humor and include time for social interaction. back to top back to table of contents Current Issue | About Forever Young | Where to Find | Advertise | Our Advertisers | Community Calendar | Contest | Clubs | Contact Us | Archives | Home |
