Support for caregivers is out there – you just have to know where and how to look. In this episode, host Elizabeth Miller shares 11 different paths you can explore to find support. Both in-person and online options are available.
Listen to the show: Finding a Caregiver Support Group
Words of Encouragement
Each episode starts off with a few words of inspiration or motivation that is pulled from the Happy Healthy Caregiver Jar.
Links & Resources Mentioned
11 Areas to Explore to Find Support for Caregivers
1. Churches or Your Place of Worship – These facilities sometimes offer Caregiving Support Groups, a Stephen Ministry or Woman’s small groups or bible studies.
2. Assisted Living Centers – Often Assisted Living Centers offer support groups for the families of their residents and individuals in the community. Here’s a directory to help contact the facilities near you. Elizabeth went to her first support group at an assisted living community. Find out more about her experience in this post: My BIG Takeaway from my First Family Caregiver Support Meeting.
3. Daughterhood Circles – Daughterhood circles are small groups that get together regularly to hang out, relax and help each other navigate caring for aging parents. Elizabeth facilities an Atlanta caregiver support group and previous show guest Jodi Hempel facilitates the Tucson Circle. Daughterhood also offers Drop-In virtual events. Or, if you’d like to start one in your area, I can put in you in touch with the leadership team.
4. Doctor’s office – Next time you are visiting one of your personal doctors or a health professional that is assisting your care recipient, ask them about local resources.
5. County Senior Resources – Each county usually has an agency that serves the communities older population. Check with your local group to see what they offer.
6. Google – Use your favorite web browser to search for ‘Family Caregiver Support’ + the name of your city and see what pops up! You can also use this resource to find support in your area: Family Caregiver Alliance’s Family Care Navigator
7. Disease Specific websites and chapters – Visit the websites for the illnesses and diseases that are greatly impacting your life. Often these agencies offer support in your area. One big association that connects family caregivers with support is the Alzheimer’s Association.
8. Employee Assistance Program – If you or your partner work outside the home, your employer may offer an Employee Assistance Program. It’s a free and anonymous service that is worth a call. Ask your Human Resources manager if your company offers an EAP. Read more about what an EAP here: How Employee Assistance Programs Can Help Family Caregivers.
9. Conferences – Elizabeth endorses is the National Caregiving Conference which is annually in Chicago – you can attend in person or virtually. The majority of speakers at this conference are either still providing care or have provided care. See all the great stuff in November’s agenda – pick the sessions that are most applicable for you. Most of the amazing things just happen in conversations with the people you meet while you are there. If you would like to brainstorm ideas on how to get you there – please contact Elizabeth. You’ll at least know one person since she’ll be there (with her sister Susie!). Elizabeth and Susie will be presenting about sharing about ‘Sharing the Care’ with your family members.
10. Online support – Find the online community with your kind of people. Search for ‘Caregiver’ or ‘Caregiving’ on Facebook, Instagram and ‘Online support for Caregivers’ and see what pops up. Follow many at first and then hone in on the handful that work best for you, Follow Happy Healthy Caregiver on Instagram, Facebook Page, Facebook Group. You’ll also want to be sure you are on our newsletter list so that you receive support directly in your inbox.
11. Certified Caregiving Consultant – Elizabeth is part of a team of Certified Caregiving Consultants that are spread across the country (and even internationally!). Contact Elizabeth to schedule time for your complimentary session and get a taste of what it would be like to work with her. If you’d prefer to have someone that is disease specific or closer to you, you can peruse the CCC directory here.
Other bonus resources not mentioned in the episode…
- Become a Blogger on Caregiving.com. Learn more here.
- Visit the caregiver chat rooms on Caregiving.com to get your questions answers. You’ll see the Chat tab on the home page. Click this to see what types of chats are offered and the times they are available.
Favorite Quotes & Moments from This Episode
“I didn’t even know I was a caregiver. I thought I was just a daughter taking care of my mom.” – Elizabeth Miller
Hospitals were very forthcoming with information about diabetes, physical therapy, and wound care but I never once got an instruction about helping me be a caregiver.
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