Why would anyone want to join?
As someone who has facilitated multiple support groups and seen the positive effects, I can give you at least 5 good reasons!
1. Stress Reduction
We all know this: Supporting someone who is living with dementia can be hard and exhausting. It takes a physical and emotional toll. Getting away for an hour or hour-and-a-half to vent and verbalize can be a big stress reliever.
2. Education
“Why do they do that?” Our loved one keeps asking where his mother is, even though she’s been dead for 25 years. And although a support group can’t stop this behavior from occurring, we can learn why it’s happening and how best to respond in the moment.
3. Tips
Aren’t tips and education the same thing? Not really. At a recent support group I facilitated, the conversation steered toward meal preparation. “It’s hard to make a meal just for myself,” one person said. Several others piped up: “Have you tried—“? They had recommendations for a number of different area businesses that prepared and delivered meals, from low-fat and vegan to high-protein and gourmet.
4. Empathy
Empathy is often described as the experience of walking in someone else’s shoes. In a support group, people will say to each other, “I went through exactly the same thing” or “I know how hard that is.” Whether the topic is feeling guilty for being angry with a loved one or whether it’s the heartrending process of deciding to place someone in a memory care unit, there are people who have walked that same path.
5. Friendship
Over the years, I have heard more than one person say, “Once my spouse got dementia, our couple of friends had nothing to do with us. I feel like I’m a widow even though my husband is still very much alive.” Let’s face it: Supporting someone living with dementia can be a lonely experience. But finding a connection with someone traveling the same journey can be infinitely rewarding.
At the Dementia Institute, we are here to support people living with dementia and the community that surrounds them. Our caregiver resources range from support groups to educational courses and personal consultations. Learn more about the support we offer by visiting the link below.
Rosemary Apol-Hoezee, RN, MPH, CPRHM
Dementia Specialist