Teri Sellers
The next meeting of the Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group is July 20.
This month, Sylvia and I will lead the group as we share and learn from one another.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can present many challenges and take a significant toll on a caregiver’s health. Fortunately, emotional support groups can provide the assistance and reassurance you need to manage stress and take time for your own much-needed care.
Caregivers take on tremendous responsibilities that can easily overwhelm them. Ongoing anxiety, guilt and sleeplessness can lead to problems with physical health. You may eventually withdraw from friends and social activities and soon find yourself feeling alone, depressed and exhausted.
The National Alliance for Caregiving indicates that more than 65 million Americans care for a chronically disabled, ill or senior family member or friend. Those caregivers provide an average of 20 hours of care per week, often while still managing a full-time job and caring for their family.
Finding a support group to share stories with, seek advice from and simply have available to listen to you on a regular basis can help lower caregiver stress and alleviate the health risks that caregivers face. Plus, support groups have information on community resources for adult day care services, Alzheimer’s education and other programs that can ease some of the workload.
The PebbleCreek Alzheimer’s Support Group is open to residents that have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
Respite Care
We may be able to provide free respite care for those with Alzheimer’s/Dementia during the caregiver meeting. This will allow the caregiver the opportunity and peace of mind to attend the discussion group. Please call me with your RSVP no later than Tuesday, July 16.
Monthly Breakfast
A more casual opportunity to meet and share with other caregivers is the first Saturday of each month. We will meet at Eagle’s Nest for breakfast and just talk. Getting to know other caregivers can be very supportive and helpful as the journey of this disease can be challenging. RSVP is required by July 3 for the July 6 breakfast. For information or to RSVP for respite care or the breakfast, please call Teri Sellers at 602-793-0299 or email [email protected].