Could a Caregiver Support Group Improve Your Care Efforts for a Senior with Alzheimer’s Disease?

March 23, 2016 by

Caregiver in Markham

Being a family caregiver for an elderly parent dealing with Alzheimer’s disease poses challenges and demands that are beyond those of caring for a parent without this condition. If you are getting Caregiver-in-Markhamstarted on this kind of journey with your parent, it is important that you find as much support and encouragement as you can to help you through. This is where a caregiver support group can truly make a difference. Not only can participating in this type of group ease your own emotional challenges during this time, but it can also improve the care efforts you give to your parent.

 

Some of the ways that a caregiver support group can improve your care efforts for your aging loved one with Alzheimer’s disease include:

  • Make you feel less alone. A large percentage of the elderly population has Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this it is easy to feel like you are alone in your caregiver role. You might feel overwhelmed and think that no one understands what you are going through. Joining a caregiver support group shows you the power of numbers. You immediately see that you are by far not alone in your experience, but part of a much larger community. This can help you to feel less isolated and more confident in your ability to handle your care challenges into the future.
  • Learn from others. Being in a caregiver support group means that you are going to encounter people who are further along in their care journeys than you are in yours. This can be beneficial in two ways. Meeting them will show you that it is possible to get through the challenges that come at each step of the progression of the disease and still be healthy and functional. It will also allow you to learn from the mistakes that those people made and what they learned with their parents. This will help you to make more confident and effective decisions for your aging loved one.
  • More social interaction. Social interaction is important for you and for your aging parent. Joining a caregiver support group lets you meet new friends. You can enjoy conversations and time together, and plan activities for your aging parents to experience together. This will boost your mental and emotional health, and help to strengthen and support his mind.
  • Offering help to others. Just as you will learn from the others in your support group, you can offer help and encouragement to them as well. New people will join the group who have not gone through as much as you have. You may also find that people who have cared for their parents even longer than you have may struggle with things you have resolved. Offering your help to these people can make you feel fulfilled and useful. This is highly effective at easing stress and supporting a better outlook on life. This will make you a more efficient, healthier, and more compassionate caregiver for your loved one.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Markham, contact the caring professionals at Staff Relief Health Care 24/7 at 905.709.1767.

 

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