An Essential Way to Avoid Caregiving Burnout: Join a Caregiver Support Group
Being a caregiver is rewarding. It’s fulfilling to know you’re helping someone (usually a loved one) through a difficult stage in his or her life.
But being a caregiver comes at a price too. It’s stressful. It’s a gigantic job that can’t be completed by one person. In many cases, the patient may have a progressive illness, like dementia or Lou Gehrig’s disease, where no matter how much effort you put into the caregiving, the patient only becomes worse.
These factors are only among the few that can cause a caregiver to become overwhelmed or to experience caregiver burnout. In order for the patient to remain as healthy as possible, you need to be healthy too. For this to happen, you must keep your caregiver fatigue at bay.
And there are a variety of ways you can do this. One way is by joining a caregiver support group. Such support groups let you know that you’re not alone in the caregiving issues that you face. There are many others who are experiencing the same kind of stress as you.
What is a Caregiver Support Group?
A caregiver support group is usually a group consisting of community members who are also caregivers, like you, where the group members can have a safe space to talk about some of the challenges they are facing. As the group members discuss with one another, they learn from each other. They share their experiences and provide examples and tips of how they overcame some of the same issues that you might be experiencing.
You learn coping skills and you connect with other members. You also find out about different caregiving techniques, ways to navigate the healthcare system, and where to find community resources.
There are many groups for caregivers that are self-sustaining. In other words, the group members can run the group without having someone lead the meetings. But there are times, especially when the family caregiver support group is at the early stages, that a facilitator is needed.
The facilitator plays an important role in helping to guide the discussions and to provide resources when needed. A facilitator also ensures that everyone in the group gets a chance to be heard.
And, a support group can meet at various locations. You can find support groups in hospitals, churches, community centers, mosques, or even online. Yes. You can find free, online support groups that can work with your schedule.
Caregiver Support Groups Offer Many Benefits
Once you’ve joined a support group, you’ll discover something amazing! Being a member of a caregiving support group comes with so many advantages. Here are just a few of the advantages:
Wealth of Knowledge and Resources
As already stated in the article, a caregiver support group is a great way to get more information about specific ways to care for a person. Some groups even focus on certain illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s Disease.
As you join the support group conversations, especially those focused on specific health conditions, you understand the illness and the symptoms more. You find out what’s the best way to be the kind of caregiver who is always there for your patients.
In addition, you can share tips and advice about your journey too.
Emotional Support
You won’t have to take this caregiving path alone. You can confide how you’re feeling to the other people in the group. It’s critical to have an outlet for the stress you might be experiencing, and sharing your concerns and anxiety with others is a positive way to relieve yourself of some of that stress.
You’ll find that talking about your anxiety and concerns can be healing and calming toward your physical and mental health.
Being a caregiver can be lonely. Many times, you find yourself alone with your patient, at home. You are providing so much care for your patient, whether it be attending to the patient’s physical needs or providing a listening ear, that you rarely go out yourself.
Participating in a support group can provide a social outlet too. You may make friends in this support group and find pals you can call on when you’re in the middle of a stressful situation.
Provide a Refresh
There will be times where you will feel drained. You might be too exhausted to do anything. Attending a caregiver support meeting can be a way to recharge you.
The other group members may encourage you and show you how your support is helping your patient. You can feel more productive and refreshed.
Regaining a Sense of Control
Assisting a patient manage an illness or to help them navigate the aging process is not something you can control. It’s unpredictable. You don’t know when your patient will have a bad day or a good day. A caregiving support group can help you accept the situation without stressing yourself too much.
Improve Quality of Life
Making sure you’re participating in a caregiver support group can help prevent caregiver burnout. This will help ensure that you stay healthy and are always there to help the loved one you are caring for.
Gain Perspective
Most importantly, you will realize you’re not alone. There are many people out there who are facing similar situations as you. This discovery can bring a more positive outlook on your role as a caregiver.
How to Find a Caregiver Support Group for You
There are multiple ways to find a support group for you. For instance, many agencies may have information for in-person or online support groups. Examples of such agencies can include:
- The National Institute of Aging: You can visit the website. You can also call them at (800)-222-2225 or E-mail them niaic@nia.nih.gov. You can also find information by contacting your local-area agency on aging.
- The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): You can find more information at its website. You can also find more information by calling (888)-687-2277.
- The Family Caregiver Alliance: This alliance’s mission is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers. You can visit the website for more information.
- The Caregiver Space: Originally called the “Caregiver Survival Network,” this website provides an online community where caregivers can share their questions. It was created by a woman named Adrienne who had been a caregiver to her husband Steve and mother-in-law, Sylvia. She felt isolated and wanted to create an online space for supporting caregivers.
And, there are also a variety of caregiving groups for different categories – from African American caregiving support groups to young adult caregivers support groups to those targeted for the LGBTQ+ caregiver. The Family Caregiver Alliance provides a list of different support groups.
Being a caregiver is a demanding journey. It requires a lot of strength, patience, compassion, and determination. But you should not go on this journey on your own.
A caregiving support group offers a lifeline, reminding you that your challenges and struggles are experienced by other people too. The group members remind you that your well-being is important too.
Whether you want emotional comfort, practical advice, of a break from the overwhelming responsibilities, take a chance and join a caregiving support group. That can be the first step to taking some control of your life and ensuring your health and resilience.
As you continue to look after your loved one, don’t forget you are important. Take care of yourself.
Help is out there. You only need to ask for it.
All American Home Care is one of the country’s leading providers of compassionate, high-quality home care services. We offer a deep commitment to personalized care, professionalism, and community trust, and our team ensures each patient receives the attention and respect they deserve.
