Self Care for Caregivers

Caregiver Support Meetings: What To Expect and How To Prepare

Caregiver support meetings can be a lifeline, providing a much-needed sounding board and outlet for stress and frustrations. It's not uncommon to struggle with feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or down in the dumps. You're doing so much good by caring for your loved one and it can be incredibly rewarding, but it's not without challenges. That's why joining a caregiver support group is so important. It's a key step to taking better care of yourself and it has the potential to be a valuable resource, which will only help you better care for your loved one. Not sure what to expect? Here are the basics to give you a glimpse of what typically goes on, along with a few tips for preparing for your first meeting. Finding Caregiver Support Groups Before you can prepare to attend a meeting, you'll need to find one. There are many ways to discover and connect with support groups. To start, ask your friends, the members of organizations you belong to, and your loved one's doctors. You can also:

Call your area's Agency on Aging for recommendations and more information about local resources
Use the U.S. Administration on Aging's online Eldercare locator to search for resources by zip code
Do an online search to see what's out there, both in your area and online

Choosing the Right Caregiver Support Group for You Just like most things related to caregiving, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to connecting with a support group. You have a variety of options available. For example, there are condition-specific groups and those open to a broader range of caregivers, groups led by trained facilitators or those led by peers. There are online or phone-based groups and those that meet in person. How can you choose the right one?

Research the format: Calling or looking up the group online is a great way to learn more. Is it peer-led or does it have a trained leader? What's the confidentiality policy? These are some key questions to ask before choosing a support group that best meets your needs.
Try a few different options out: Most are free to join, although some reputable caregiver support groups ask you to join the association running it. Most experts recommend being cautious about caregiver groups that charge a fee.
Keep your mind (and options) open: A support group doesn't have to be a perfect match to meet your needs and, depending on where you live, you might not have tons of options. The bulk of the challenges caregivers face are faced by others, so don't hesitate to give a general caregiver support group a try.

Understanding What to Expect Making the decision to attend your first support meeting can leave your nerves feeling a bit frayed. Even though every group is different, one thing you can expect is this: You'll be greeted with welcoming words and knowing smiles. You're not alone, and that's the beauty of joining a support group. Every group runs differently. Some are very structured while others have a looser format. Some in-person meetings may serve refreshments while others don't. Some of the common elements you can expect include:

Signing in, providing your contact information, and getting a name tag
Everyone sitting down and someone calling the meeting to order and explaining the format
The group leader might call for everyone to introduce themselves
Spending time listening to other group members talking about their experiences; no, you won't be obligated to share if you don't want to
The leader might provide a daily reflection and lead a discussion about specific topics, including medications, respite care, and coping with your own anger and frustrations

Bring a notebook. You're likely going to learn a lot of useful tips from others who are walking a similar path. You might uncover extra resources that can help you throughout your journey. One more thing to expect? A warm feeling of camaraderie when you leave and an arsenal of tools to help you combat caregiver stress and provide the best care to your loved one.

Kimberly-Clark Canada makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.