Support for caregivers
By Bea Cowlin, LSW
Each day, caregivers face the enormous job of caring for loved ones. Caregiving can include anything from visiting weekly to living with a loved one and providing care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, many caregivers work full or part time, and have their own family responsibilities with which to cope. Adding caregiving duties to an already busy schedule can cause difficulties at home and at work, stress, anxiety, depression and caregiver burnout.
There are many ways to ease the strain of caregiving. Support groups offer caregivers a forum to discuss or vent feelings of frustration or anger in a confidential environment. Often people share stories, both good and bad, and many find comfort in knowing that someone else is experiencing similar feelings. At a recent group, two women discovered they had very similar experiences in caring for their mothers.
One was able to offer the other specific ideas on how to cope with a difficult situation and taking time for husband and herself. In response to a caregiver whose mother was somewhat demanding, another caregiver explained that she handled that situation by being very honest with her mother and explaining that although she loved her very much, she still had to find time for herself and to be with her own family. Another group member suggested that this caregiver ask other family members and neighbors to spend time with her mother. Another described how she had made strides in “picking her battles” and just letting other issues go since sometimes nothing productive comes from pursuing a particular struggle.
It takes courage to attend a support group, and yet it can be a very positive experience for all. In addition to sharing difficult times, often humorous stories are shared. Sometimes time is spent laughing, sometimes crying, but always caring. Relationships and long-lasting friendships sometimes develop, continuing even after their 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 can make suggestions or if possible, research a particular request and provide the information by the next meeting or by phone.
There are support/sharing groups throughout Berkshire County. At Elder Services, 66 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, daytime and evening groups are available. A men’s sharing group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. A general caregiving sharing group open to all caregivers meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. An evening sharing group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ”Chicken Soup for Caregivers” is a program for all caregivers offered the second Wednesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in collaboration with the Ralph Froio Senior Center. Lunch is available and pre-registration is required for this group only.
For information on these and additional support groups throughout Berkshire County, call Bea Cowlin or Pat Morrissey, Caregiver Coordinators, at 499-0524 or 800-544-5242.
Bea Cowlin is one of two Elder Services Caregiver Coordinators.
