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We encourage support group participation at ALL stages of the caregiving process.
Sharingour feelings, not only for our loved ones who have Alzheimer's disease, but how we were able to cope with the feelings inside of ourselves as the caregivers.
Understanding:being in a group with others with the same problems and what's more, being with people that are willing to listen.
Patience:trying to give 24 hours a day, 7 days a week knowing in your heart that you are physically and mentally exhausted, yet not willing to admit this even to yourself, but in that group, everyone understands -- they've been there or are there now.
Purpose:as caregivers to reach out to each other for understanding, comfort and information.
Opennesswith each other to afford assistance in caregiving in ways we may not have considered previously.
Rapportthe knowledge that we are not alone in our problems and reaching out to others in the same "boat" as we are.
Truth:to finally realize that some alternatives may not be appealing, but the only possible solution; or just being able to face that the disease is Alzheimer's and what that means to us personally.
Gathering:just the feeling within the group, to be able to react and interact with people who know what Alzheimer's is and are trying to deal with it too.
Reporting:finding out what progress is being made within individual groups to advance education among all people concerning Alzheimer's disease.
One:As one person touches another and another and another, so does understanding.
Unity:the closeness in sharing a common problem, knowing that although some may be at different stages and not all will reach every stage -- the possibility exists and therefore we are together.
Professionals:the final realization that all the professionals were in attendance at the meetings . . . . YOU AND ME.Put them all together and they spell: SUPPORT GROUP!! A Support Group is:
You will have an opportunity to talk with people who are caring for persons with dementia in the home, who have placed their relative in a care facility, or who have a family member at a distance. You will share useful techniques for in-home care, nursing home care, long-distance caring, and solutions to financial, legal and other problems. Support Groups meet on a continuous basis throughout the year. These meetings take place monthly (many twice a month) and are free to all caregivers and their families. Support Groups are a forum for: Information-sharing and exchange of practical ideas; Listening; Guiding; Caring and Reassuring As Anne McCahill from the Richmond Chapter stated: Whether a patient is cared for at home or in an institution, it is the Caregiver's opportunity to meet with a surrogate family, as SOMEONE TO STAND BY YOU!!! Caregivers bring to a Support Group: different stages of the progression of the disease, different coping styles, different levels of stress, different levels of support from family and friends, and different needs. A question often asked: Is joining a Support Group generally viewed as a sign of weakness? Definitely not! To deny or suppress feelings, to attempt to manage all caregiving alone can only make the daily task a lonesome drudgery. Denial, reluctance, frustration, hopelessness are, indeed, experienced by other caregivers. Being able to deal with these feelings together can give much strength. Do Support Group participants communicate between monthly meetings? Yes, strongly encouraged! New experiences are shared, and the release of frustration can be accomplished. Also, friendships are developed and social activities will take place among support group members. It is essential to keep in touch with one another and members are encouraged to do one-to-one networking at all times. Can the Support Group leaders make decisions for the participants? Basically NO. The mission of a support group is to identify the Caregiver's needs, to resolve problems and to GUIDE him/her toward the appropriate resources, services or professionals. If stress becomes health-threatening for a Caregiver, then professional consultation would be urgently advised. What is the Support Group's mission once the patient is cared for in a nursing home or adult home and the family's burden of intense home care is eased? Continued support for the family member who now has institutional issues to address and help in working through feelings of guilt about moving the loved one from the home environment. Your Alzheimer's Association is here to SUPPORT YOU and we strongly encourage all caregivers to join one of our support groups. Source: WHAT IS A SUPPORT GROUP? by Terry Cummings, Alzheimer's Assoc. - Los Angeles © 1997 - 2001 Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area. All rights reserved. |