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Caring for an aging family member or friend can take a minute of your time as you pick up a prescription, or it may be consuming your time as you schedule, coordinate, and provide transportation to medical appointments. We can’t predict exactly how we’ll age or when we’ll need help and that can leave caregivers wondering if there is help, where to find it, and how to live with the emotional and physical impacts.
Caregiver support groups are one way to find resources and other people who are experiencing similar questions and situations. There are caregiver support groups that are disease-specific and ones that are for general caregiving. Groups share resources for community help, ideas for thinking about situations differently, and tips for making caregiving easier. Caregiver groups provide social care for caregivers who may be experiencing isolation and loneliness due to changing their lifestyles to accommodate caregiving tasks.
Catholic Charities offers two general caregiver groups in Indianapolis that are open to the community. Last year, in addition to having open discussions, community professionals from the Alzheimer’s Association, Ascension Living St. Vincent PACE, Indiana Legal Services, and Power Over Dementia shared insights. A retired psychiatric nurse educator talked about feelings, a Catholic Charities therapist lead a meditation, and a World Boxing Heavyweight Champion helped caregivers put on boxing gloves and throw some punches.
Sharing time and learning with other people who are caregiving can increase knowledge of resources as well as improve coping skills and psychological well-being—all which can lead to an improved quality of life for caregivers. To find a caregiver group in your area, contact your Area Agency on Aging. For information about the Catholic Charities groups, contact Monica Woodsworth, mwoodsworth@archindy.org, 317-261-3378.
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