Family & Caregivers
Social / Emotional Support
Online Support
Support Groups
Professional Support
Accessing Assistance
When providing care for a loved one, new responsibilities and increased
demands often interfere with the caregiver’s ability to invest
in relationships and maintain social interaction. The care recipient
may feel frustration and despair from changes that hinder or alter their
ability to perform and participate in regular activities. For the family
and caregiver, guilt, helplessness, and anger are common emotions.
At a time when the need for social and emotional support is the greatest,
caregivers often face feelings of isolation that jeopardize their health
and well-being. Social interaction plays an important role in maintaining
the caregiver’s health by providing an opportunity for communication
and an outlet for emotional expression. In some cases, the open communication
rallies increased support from family and friends and provides opportunities
for temporary periods of respite and relief from caregiving demands.
From sharing their experiences with others, especially those experiencing
similar situations, caregivers realize their feelings are a normal and
natural response to the challenging demands of providing care. They learn
that they are not alone and gain suggestions and assistance in coping
with the changing relationship with their loved one. Sources of social
and emotional support include family, friends, religious organizations,
online support groups, live support groups, and professional assistance.
Online Support
Through various online discussion boards, caregivers may post questions,
provide answers, and share experiences and suggestions to help provide
support to one another throughout the caring process.
Family
Caregiver Alliance Online Support Groups
Provided by the Family Caregiver Alliance of the National Center on Caregiving
AARP
Discussion Boards
Provided by AARP
Support Groups
Often support groups are organized according to medical conditions.
As the scheduled dates, locations, and times of support group meetings
change, contact information for local chapters is provided, if available.
Links to the national association, which can help in locating an active
group near you, are also provided. Another source of support may be found
in religious institutions. Check with each institution’s main office,
as many offer support groups or lend their facilities to others who coordinate
group meetings.
Alzheimer Disease/Dementia
Arthritis
Cancer
Depression
Diabetes
Grief and Loss
Heart Problems
Huntington’s Disease and Other
Movement Disorders
Osteoporosis
Stroke
Professional Support
To allow the caregiver to find time for personal reflection and/or social
interaction, respite services offer
temporary relief to caregivers by providing for the comfort, supervision,
and care of a loved one.
For individuals in need of professional counseling to effectively cope
with the emotional demands and even depression that sometimes results
from providing care, mental
health services are available.
Accessing Assistance
Contact us for assistance with locating
support groups, or e-mail
us your questions.
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