CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Published January 31, 2017

Why?
Statistics show that at least one person out of four has caregiving duties. The average woman will spend more years caring for her parents then raising her children. Many women who choice to have children late in life will likely be raising children and caring for parents at the same time. More and more men are taking on the caregiving responsibilities of their parents. A caregiver is anyone who feels responsible for another person’s welfare because of disability, illness, frailty, life changes and/or losses.

When and Where:

We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
We meet at the home of Pat Bakerin Lilburn. (Contact the office for address)
We begin at 7:00 p.m. and end around 8:30 p.m.

The objectives of this support group are to:

Provide a place where people feel understood in the special way that only others who have faced or are facing a similar situation can understand.
Provide respite from care giving situations (time away) – a safe place.
Help caregivers achieve a sense of perspective on their problems.
Provide an opportunity to share resources.
Provide rewards (pats on the back) for appropriate behavior.
Gain support from others who share the same type of experiences you do.
Energize caregivers to extend themselves into the community to advocate for caregiver rights.

Who should come?

Persons who are spouse caregivers, caregivers of relatives and non-relatives (any age)- in home, in community, long distance, those who share care giving duties, and grandparents raising grandchildren.

This group is open to the community.

The Do’s and Don’ts (rules)

What is said in the group is confidential unless the person gives us permission to share.
No requirements for attendance. This is a very informal group.
Participants are expected to not judge each other and to not dominate conversations.
Meeting Agenda:
We catch up on what is going on with each other.
We sometimes have a short program provided by a professional.
We end with a problem sharing/solving session.
We share a meal occasionally.

Support Group Facilitator:

Pat Baker comes to the group with 44 years of experience in the field of aging services having worked with family caregivers since 1980. She has facilitated several support groups and offered several classes for family caregivers since coming to the Atlanta area in 2002. Her passion and ministry is offering support for family caregivers. Professionally she is Director of Health and Human Services/Senior Services for Gwinnett County.