Alzheimer Support for Family Members

When family members or friends of an Alzheimer’s patient are called upon to support their loved one, the experience can be a difficult one. Caregiving is a singular situation that might result in feelings of loneliness or isolation, and in turn, guilt for experiencing those negative feelings. Many Caretakers say, “Why should I complain, when my loved one is the one suffering from a disease?” However, these two experiences are incomparable, and it’s undeniable that being a caretaker can be a taxing experience that is laden with difficult and acute emotions.

Caretakers shouldn’t have to deal with these feelings alone; instead, we encourage our Caretaker community to reach out to people that can empathize with the challenges of caretaking. One way to meet individuals who have also been called upon as Caretakers, and who can best understand this responsibility, is to attend an Alzheimer’s Support Group.

Alzheimer’s Support Groups serve a number of purposes. For example:

• Help the Caretaker to realize they are not alone in their job and responsibilities, and that there is a community of individuals surrounding them who have similar experiences and feelings
• Allow a safe space for Caretakers to express and validate difficult emotions related to caretaking, and in doing so, decompress
• Serve as a resource for Caretakers to learn new practical solutions for taking care of their loved ones who are living with Alzheimer’s
• Help to address common challenges specific to each of the stages of Alzheimer’s
• Assist in empowering and in building Caretaker confidence
• Aid in the prevention of depression and burnout in Caretakers

Alzheimer’s Support Groups are a safe and confidential way for Caretakers to process the difficult emotions that are extremely common in family members or loved ones of individuals living with Alzheimer’s/Dementia, and find support in a community of individuals who have experienced similar situations. Support Groups also provide an amazing venue for meeting new people in the community, making new friends, and exploring new options and technology in Alzheimer’s care.

These are only some of the reasons why we at Summerset Senior Living are excited to begin offering Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Groups to family members and loved ones of patients living with Alzheimer’s. Please join us from 10:30-11:30 am on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, beginning March 30th. We hope that these support groups serve as a valuable opportunity for the family members of Alzheimer’s patients to express their emotions, assist one another with difficulties, laugh with one another and celebrate the position moments, and cultivate a group of friends that can support one another in the Caretaker journey.