When you are a caregiver or the sole support person providing elderly care, it can take its toll on you. Having a parent that used to take care of you then suddenly being 100 percent reliant on you is a life altering change that can cause many emotional and even unpleasant feelings. While it is 100 percent normal to feel this way, it is important to find an outlet for your feelings or a way to realize that you are not alone.
The Benefit of Support Groups
In a support group, you are surrounded by others in the same or similar situations as you. It gives everyone an opportunity to vent about their frustrations, talk about their fears and receive support that they cannot receive anywhere else. In addition, you can also gain the benefit of additional resources either from the leader or other caregivers in the group. The group is a way for you to realize you are not alone and to help you be the best caregiver you can be for your elderly parent.
Search for a Group
There are a variety of places to look for a group in your area. Start with your local hospital or church, many of them offer groups or have resources to point you in the right direction. In addition, you can search online at websites that are specific to your loved one’s disease whether it is Alzheimer’s disease, a respiratory or cardiac disease. You will likely be surprised at the number of support groups available to those that provide care for the elderly.
