January 19, 2018
More than 5.5 million people in America are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. The majority of these individuals receive most of their care from the nearly 16 Million individuals who are either relatives or close friends. Alzheimer's disease is life-changing for both those who are diagnosed and those close to them.
Caring for someone with dementia can present exhausting challenges, often taking a significant toll on a caregiver’s well-being. Ongoing guilt, anxiety, and sleeplessness can contribute to problems with physical health. Withdrawal from social activities and disengaging from friends is very common and can lead to loneliness, exhaustion, and depression.
Support groups offer assistance, reassurance, and tools to manage stress and anxiety. The opportunity to connect with peers who share a common bond of challenges and grief is powerful, and can help reduce stress and minimize anxiety or fatigue. The Mayo Clinic reports that support groups can help one feel less isolated, develop better coping skills, and even offer a sense of empowerment or control over a seemingly hopeless situation.
Today, many support organizations even offer specialized groups for children, individuals with younger-onset and early-stage Alzheimer's, adult caregivers, and others with specific needs. For those unable to leave their loved one with dementia alone to go to an in-person support group, numerous phone and web-based options exist, such as:
• Webinars
Navigating this road alone can be harrowing and harmful to a caregiver’s health. It’s vital to get social and emotional support from others who have traveled down the same path and learned how to better cope along the way.
