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Being a family caregiver can be an incredibly rewarding endeavor. Some days are absolutely wonderful, when you are on top of everything and the assistance you give to your loved one is exactly what they need at that time. You feel accomplished and capable, and confident that you’re giving your best to those you love the most.
But then there are the other days.
Those other days are the ones that make caregiving hard. They’re the days when nothing goes right from the very start. You might be playing catch-up all day. You may forget things, get frustrated, feel bone-deep fatigue, and look at the clock every five minutes in the hopes that it has somehow sped up. You may lose your patience, and maybe even your mind.
It’s those days when you need support most of all.
Perhaps it seems like the bad days are the isolating ones. Reaching out for support on the days when you need it most is vital to being able to continue doing the good work you are doing.
Caregivers Need Support Too
There are currently about 53 million family caregivers in the United States, according to the Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 report. It’s safe to say that millions of family caregivers may need their own support during the caregiving journey. Caregiver support groups are there for exactly that reason – to give you a place to connect with others who understand and have walked in your shoes too. It is a safe space where you can share the victories and the challenges, without guilt or embarassment.1
As you reach out for support from those who are walking the same paths you are embarking on, let Alert1 support you with a personal emergency response system for your loved one. If your loved one is prone to falling or wandering, you can have peace of mind that a mobile medical alert system with fall detection and GPS can help right away. It’s one less thing on your plate to worry about.
10 Popular Caregiving Support Groups
Finding support can sometimes seem very difficult. When will you find the time to talk to others about what you’re going through? Are you too busy to make in-person meetings? Does a message board work for you, but only in the middle of the night when the rest of the world is asleep?
The good news is that you can find various forms of support around the clock, no matter where you are, no matter what you need. Here are some options.
1. Family Caregiver Alliance
This well-known caregiving site is dedicated to all things that can make life easier for you, including resources and support. Joining CareNav will connect you with a live person who can guide you to resources in your local area as well as connect you with those in the broader world of caregiving. Resources are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog. The site also offers a search function to help you find resources on the state level.
2. Caregiver Action Network
This organization provides a wealth of advice and resources, as well as personal stories of caregivers that might resonate with you. The Care Chat offers a place for you to post your concerns, worries, victories, and requests for advice from those who are in the same boat. The Toolbox includes a variety of resources, including a list of caregiver agencies that can help you out no matter what your particular caregiving situation entails.
3. The National Alliance for Caregiving
Though the NAC focuses strongly on advocacy and research into caregiving, there are some resources that could work wonders for you. The Take Care initiative is a place where you can find resources while The Mental Health Pulse Check allows you to tell NAC how you are feeling as a caregiver, what your challenges are, and what help you need. In-depth guidebooks can help you navigate important points of caregiving, such as speaking to your loved one about preventing falls or handling mental health issues.
4. Well Spouse Association
This organization focuses on the health and well-being of the caregiver for their husband, wife, or partner. In addition to member stories, resources, and a reading room on the latest news, there are in-person and online support groups available. The online support groups take the form of chat rooms, a Facebook marketplace, and YouTube feeds, among others. The in-person support groups are available across the country and can be found via an easy search on the website.
5. The Caregiver Space
Looking for a place to let it all out? This helpful resource is a great way to connect with others, write your story, discover new ways to cope, and when all else fails, get everything off your chest. You can engage in group chats, join a Facebook group devoted to those in your shoes, and even be paired with another caregiver to give and receive support. You can also comb through the site based on what you really need, such as your caregiving struggles or who you are caring for in your day-to-day duties.
6. AARP Family Caregiving
This website offers information on caregiving, including Facebook support groups, a caregiving community, and even a support line for those times when you are simply at the end of your rope. The caregiving community shines in that it allows for asking plenty of questions in a safe, supportive environment. Tools, workbooks, help with advocacy, and resources in Spanish are just a sampling of the options available to the family caregiver.
7. Caregiving.com
This site is truly dedicated to all things caregiving. Enjoy a regular podcast, calculate what your salary would be if family caregivers were paid, and reach out for support through the very active community message boards. Caregiver stories make it clear you aren’t alone in your journey. Sign up for an account to keep all your resources in one place and change them over time as your duties change from providing a little help from a distance to being fully hands-on.
8. Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is dedicated to research into stopping this heartbreaking disease. But until that breakthrough happens, caregivers can find resources here. There’s a 24-hour helpline that can assist you, as well as information on financial and legal planning, daily care, keeping your own health in check, and getting in touch with respite care and other options to help you stay strong. There are local chapters of the support group all over the nation, as well as an online forum.
9. American Stroke Association
The CDC reports that someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 40 seconds.2 It’s a leading cause of mobility problems and disability among those aged 65 and older. That means there are a lot of caregivers out there helping out an elderly loved one who has had a stroke. And though you can find many things to help them, from working with physical therapists and speech-language pathologists to ensuring the person you love is protected with a fall alert medical alarm, you probably need some help for yourself, too. This site offers a resource library, a “warmline” where caregivers can call for help, a support network, and so much more.
10. Parkinson’s Foundation
The National Institutes of Health says that as many as one million people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s.3 This foundation is dedicated to finding a cure or treatment for the condition, as well as helping individuals live well with it. Caregiving resources include audiobooks, podcasts, articles, a support help line, local chapters where you can connect in person, and free care partner courses to help caregivers understand what to expect and how to best help the person they love.
Other Options for Caregiver Support
The groups listed here are the tip of the iceberg. You can find support at local hospitals and clinics, where there might be in-person groups dedicated to caregivers in your area. Look into local community centers, senior centers, local faith-based organizations, and even an employee assistance program, if you have access to one. If time or transportation are issues, online communities, especially those on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, can help you stay in touch with those across the world, in real time, to share the challenges you face as caregivers.
And don’t forget to look into any organization that is dedicated to researching or supporting those with a particular illness, such as the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, or the American Cancer Society.
Another supportive tool that may take some stress off of a caregiver’s shoulders is a medical alert system for your loved one. An alert pendant or wristband is a safety net that you both deserve to have. Alert1 wishes all caregivers good health, comfort, safety, and the support you deserve.