Family Caregiver
Participant in Facilitated Support Sessions

Being a caregiver to a loved one can be all-consuming and incredibly lonely. Participating in this support group has given me the gift of being heard and understood by others who are also dealing with the many confusing layers of feelings involved in taking care of a loved one. The sessions are well-organized with a good balance of short videos, stories and plenty of time for discussion. Facilitators have been flexible and tuned to the current themes and needs arising within the group. The workbook gives me a place to write about and reflect on my own growth.

I love this group for the compassion and clarity it brings to my life.

Judy: “Caregiver Help is the perfect support for all caregivers taking care of a loved one. I've been with this group for 3 years now, and it continues to help me deal with the many challenges I face daily. Hearing how others handle their situations, having them support me in my tough spots, and the camaraderie we share is priceless. No one should walk the life of a caregiver without Caregiver Help! You need us and we need you!”
Judy
Family Caregiver & Program Participant

Caregiver Help is the perfect support for all caregivers taking care of a loved one. I’ve been with this group for 3 years now, and it continues to help me deal with the many challenges I face daily. Hearing how others handle their situations, having them support me in my tough spots, and the camaraderie we share is priceless. No one should walk the life of a caregiver without Caregiver Help! You need us and we need you!

Suzy
Family Caregiver & Program Participant

Before joining the group, I felt isolated, alone, incredibly ill-equipped, and misunderstood by well-meaning professionals, family, friends, and acquaintances. I needed help, and I didn’t know how to make it happen effectively. The most valuable part of being a member was that I was heard without judgment and given genuine understanding, compassion, empathy, and incredible support, and I truly mattered. The bond was healing to my tattered heart and soul. If you are thinking about joining, please grab hold of this lifeline. It enabled me to be my best self, thrive in my mental health, and survive the hardest journey physically and emotionally as I learned how to take care of myself and to take the steps needed to put personal and legal affairs in order. This enabled me to be the best caregiver for the one I loved and be kind and respectful of myself without feeling selfish.

QUESTION

What is the most valuable thing you are taking away from this course?

“I am not alone but blessed.”

“Knowledge and new friendships.’

“The importance of being kind to myself.”

“How valuable we are to each other in our journey, where we learn together and love and support each other, rejoicing in every growth and victory.”

“Caregiving for Alzheimer’s disease is an asymmetric journey that is best coped with using Creative Indifference.”

“As caregivers need to care for ourselves first so we can be better caregivers to our family members. And the importance of networking and finding much-needed resources.”

“I discovered that many caregivers face the same issues, and that we can talk about them and support one another.”

QUESTION

How has this course changed the way you deal with painful emotions such as anger, guilt, depression, and grief?

“I remind myself that I’m doing the best I can and I’m only human with human emotions.”

“I now make sure to take a step back to make sure my responses to others are more thoughtful than before. To make sure I’m responding appropriately”.

“I understand that it is normal and ok to have these feelings.”

“I recognize that I am not alone – I am blessed.”

“I still have negative emotions. I now understand that it may not be useful to hang onto them.”

“It’s much easier for me to release and let go in ‘self-love.’ Not going it alone is paramount. Grateful to Madelyn, Elaine, Annie, and everyone who was open, vulnerable, honest, and willing to learn and grow as well as “do the work”. You are all awesome and appreciated. I commend witnessing profound individual actions.

“I still have difficult emotions, but now, I deal with them instead of denying them.”