“I am writing to express my deepest thanks for my wonderful experience yesterday. My days are usually filled with caring for my loved one. I commonly focus my thoughts onto a puzzle or crossword to escape, but I am always alone. Yesterday was about me. I had forgotten what that felt like. I can’t thank the ACT (Assisting Carepartners to Thrive) program enough for giving me the opportunity to feel special. I didn’t know how much I needed it.”
A North Shore Family Caregiver
(story edited to preserve the family’s privacy)
Caregiving can be fulfilling and joyful, but it can also be challenging, difficult work. It can result in significant emotional, physical, and financial strain on the caregiver and can be isolating. Many caregivers report feeling alone in their role. While they focus on taking care of someone else, caregivers need to remember to take care of themselves too. SeniorCare’s Assisting Care Partners to Thrive (ACT) Program aims to reduce caregiver stress, build community, and ease some of the burdens that accompany caregiving. ACT Program activities include group social gatherings and individual entertainment opportunities. Funds are also available to support caregivers in taking care of themselves, in the ways that make sense just for them. That might mean a night away or an activity or class on their own. Or it might mean a device or service to support their care recipient’s needs.
We regularly hear that caregivers did not realize they needed the support until they took part in an ACT program. Sometimes it is simply remembering to take the opportunity for respite from caregiving demands. Recently one caregiver said: “I need a break and this concert fits the bill. Thanks for the reminder.” Sometimes it has been a long time since a caregiver has taken care of themselves and the respite is very significant. A caregiver shared that her days and years have been filled with caring for her son, now an older adult himself, who lives with mental illness. After taking part in an ACT program sponsored activity, she stated: “Yesterday was all about me. I have forgotten what that felt like. I can’t thank the ACT Program enough for giving me these opportunities to feel special. I didn’t know how much I needed it.”
Another program supporting Care Partners are SeniorCare’s Caregiver Support Groups, which meet regularly both in person and virtually.
Being part of a support group allows individuals to share their experiences and feelings with others who truly understand what they’re going through. During a weekly Zoom meeting, a participant fondly referred to the meeting as his “Tuesday morning family.” Having been a member of the online caregiver support group for two years while caring for his wife with Alzheimer’s, he continues even after his wife’s passing to be an active member, offering his compassion and experience to support and educate his fellow group members.
Another member was the primary caregiver for her aunt and kept her phone with her 24 hours a day, waiting for calls. Her aunt often took advantage of this kindness, calling frequently and causing unnecessary drama. During a support group meeting, members suggested that she take a phone break and encouraged her to go for a walk without her phone. With the group’s support, she completed the task and found it so invigorating that she now takes daily breaks for her self-care.
SeniorCare support group members often share coping strategies and practical tips that have worked for them, providing valuable insights and solutions. A support group offers a platform to share successful strategies, such as resources for home health aides, nursing facilities, grants available for caregivers, and online resources for supporting care recipients with specific illnesses.
Support groups create a sense of belonging and community. Knowing others are facing similar challenges can be both comforting and empowering.
Another program to support caregivers is “The SAVVY Caregiver” evidence based workshop. This free six-week workshop is for family and friends who are active caregivers, caring for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Taking care of a person living with dementia is specialized work. To do this work successfully, caregivers need special skills, knowledge, and a positive attitude that helps them to care for themselves. The SAVVY Caregiver is offered several times through the year in both in-person and online settings.
SeniorCare understands the combined joy and challenge that family caregiver can bring and is committed to providing meaningful support to the amazing and strong people who take on this task of love.
For a schedule of Caregiver Support Groups and ACT programs, please visit our calendar of events.