Caregivers care for each other
By Bea Cowlin, LSW
Caregiving can range from weekly visits with a loved one in a long-term facility to living with a loved one and providing 24 hour-seven days a week care. Although it may be a challenge, there are also many gifts that come with caregiving. One of the greatest gifts is knowing that as the caregiver, you are doing all that you can to provide the best care for your loved one.
However, caregiving is an enormous job for numerous reasons. Many caregivers have full or part-time jobs and must cope with their own family responsibilities. Adding caregiving duties to an already busy schedule can cause difficulties at home and at work. Some of these difficulties can result in increased stress, anxiety, depression and caregiver burnout.
Many caregivers manage to avoid these pitfalls by making sure they have time for their own activities. Some caregivers find it helpful to share their caregiving stories with others. Sometimes they seek out a support or sharing group. These groups can offer anyone a forum to discuss stories, both successful and challenging. It is also a place where caregivers can vent their feelings of frustration or anger in a confidential environment. Many caregivers find comfort in knowing that someone else is experiencing the exact same feelings.
It takes courage to attend a support group. It can be a very positive experience for all who attend. In addition to sharing difficult times, humorous stories are often shared. Time is spent laughing, sometimes crying, but always caring. Relationships are developed and some become long-lasting friendships even continuing social relationships long after caregiving duties have ended.
A support group can also be a source of information and resources. If a caregiver does not have an answer, the facilitator may be able to make suggestions or may be willing to research a particular request and provide the information by the next meeting or by phone, if necessary.
There are support/sharing groups throughout Berkshire County.
For more information on these and additional support groups throughout Berkshire County, call Bea or Pat at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.
Bea Cowlin, LSW, is an Elder Services’ caregiver coordinator.
