One of the hardest aspects of caregiving is feeling trapped in a situation that nobody else can possibly understand. Caregiving takes significant time and effort and it can be overwhelming at times. Caregiver burnout is not simply a term — it is an actual condition that is increasing almost faster than the population of seniors and disabled adults in need of care.

You are not alone. Join one of our Caregiver Support groups to listen and learn from other professional and family caregivers, discuss your caregiving circumstances and stresses, and go through stress reduction tips and exercises with Executive Director Gary A. Powell. (If you would like to talk to someone privately, who will understand and help guide you, TCF also provides one-on-one and group support sessions in-office.)

Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment or community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They also educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.

Facilitator: Pam Taylor, LICSW, Clinical Manager, Spectrum Adult Day Health. Open to caregivers caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease. No fee charged for this group. Free respite care is available upon request. Information and education about Alzheimer’s disease and related memory disorders is shared. Increased understanding through shared experiences, mutual support from other caregivers.

Early stage support groups provide information, discussion and inspiration through an honest exchange of how each are coping and continuing on with good and productive lives. If you are considering joining the early stage support group, contact a Heart of America staff (listed below) for an orientation meeting prior to attendance. The orientation meeting provides and opportunity to ask questions and insure the group is the right fit for your needs.