Reasons You Should Join a Caregiver Support Group

When you’re a caregiver for a family member, you soon find out that there are demands on you that you never thought about. Trying to prioritize your home life, your health and trying to take care of your loved one, is almost impossible. You feel overwhelmed, overworked and you're in a rut. But there is a solution by joining a caregiver support group.

A caregiver support group is for people who are caregivers. Here, you will find support, valuable resources, information and people who understand what you’re going through because they are also going through the same thing. So some other reasons to join a support group are:

• Make new friends: Let's face it, when you devote most of your time to caregiving, you will lose friends because you no longer have time to do things with them. Joining a support group will give you a chance to develop new friendships. These new friends have experienced similar to yours, and they will understand what you're going through.
• It gives you a place to vent: Caregiving can be an emotional experience and a stressful one. A support group will provide you with a place to vent your frustrations without being judged. Mostly, because everyone there has been in your position one time or another. They can give you the understanding you need and the compassion which you crave. Plus, you’re in a safe and non-judgmental environment to share your experiences.
• You can gather and share information: When other caregivers share their experiences, they have had with their loved one, it might answer a question that you have had. By supplying the information which can be used, it gives you a better understanding of what your loved one is going through and how you can be supportive and caring.
• Focus on self-care: Making time for yourself is a crucial area which a lot of caregivers neglect. Being a caregiver means that most times you put your own needs last. But, you need to take time for yourself and a support group is part of this self-care. The other members can advise on self-care and help support you emotionally.
• You’re not alone: Caregiving can affect every part of your life and cause an immense amount of stress. This is especially true if you’re the only caregiver. You may be helping with housework, driving your family member to appointments, assisting with dressing and personal hygiene. Knowing that you’re not the only one who is a caregiver and talking to other people who are also caregivers can be a great stress reliever.
• Learn to ask for help: When you belong to a caregiver support group, you can learn there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Other caregivers can give you recommendations for professional Respite Caregivers or even in-home caregivers who will help with daily chores, such as light housekeeping. Professional in-home caregivers can help with personal hygiene and also be getting your loved one dressed. If you need to go away for a few days or even a few hours for a break, Respite Caregivers will safely take care of your loved one while you get a piece of your life back. No one person can do it all.

Here at Right at Home, we can provide caregiving for you and all your loved one's needs. Our professional in-home caregivers are trained to provide care for all kinds for seniors. We cover many types of in-home care service, and we can provide relief for you. You're not alone, and we're a phone call away.

Remember, there are other options for your loved one and you.