When you are taking care of your loved one with dementia it can seem overwhelming. We hope to receive support from other family and friends but sometimes it just isn’t enough. Also, there are challenges that are presented including navigating the path of care, changes in behavior and personality that when faced with it alone can seem daunting. Support groups such as our Memory Care Support Group aim to assist in decreasing the challenges associated with caregiving for someone with dementia. Support groups offer a safe space to connect with your loved one as well as share stories, provide each other with information and ensure that you don’t feel as if you have to face caregiving on your own.
Your community can be the very place where you find the support you need. Support groups involve regular meetings where people experiencing similar struggles can come together. It is in this safe space that we can offer encouragement and support to others. Although many groups differ in a variety of ways support groups offer the ability to share stories and express feelings. Our support group offers the ability to bring your loved one with dementia to each meeting, to enjoy a relaxed environment where they can participate in activities and enjoy the company of others. We meet regularly to offer support to our community of caregivers and their loved ones with dementia that offers a setting where they can connect with one another.
This process of connecting can involve sharing experiences, challenges and triumphs with others which can be cathartic. It can provide a sense of relief for those caregiving for someone with dementia. You may just find the information and resources you need within the support group. Caregiving without understanding all your options can be stressful. One thing you may be able to take away is a different way to manage the symptoms of dementia, develop better coping skills or identify service options.
We understand that support groups are not the answer for everyone, but identifying all your local resources can be a benefit to anyone providing care to someone with dementia. Here at the Tanglewood Group we aim to strengthen and empower relationships between the caregiver and their loved one with dementia. Please join us at our Memory Care Support Group held at Comfort Today on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Memory Care Support Group 