By Jennifer McDougall

If you’re a caregiver or know someone, you must know that you’re not alone. There are millions of caregivers out there who can relate to what you’re going through. One of the best ways to find support when caring for an elderly loved one or someone with special needs is by joining a caregiver support group. While some people might be nervous about joining such groups, they can be quite helpful—and they aren’t as scary as they seem!

National Alliance for Caregiving

The National Alliance for Caregiving is a nonprofit organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for more than 100 million family caregivers in the United States. It was founded in 2005 by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) to help people understand their caregiving responsibilities, improve their quality of life and make informed decisions that enhance their ability to care for themselves and others.

The alliance’s mission is to strengthen America’s families by improving public policy, creating supportive environments at home and work, and providing caregiver education and information about available services through its national network of professional partners.

National Family Caregivers Association

The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) provides support, education, and advocacy for the more than 70 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, and aging parents. The NFCA was founded in 1985 by a group of family caregivers who wanted to ensure their needs were heard. The organization has grown exponentially since then and offers various services, including caregiver support groups across the United States.

Caregiver Action Network (CAN)

Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the country’s leading nonprofit organization that supports caregivers. As a part of its mission, CAN provides education and resources for caregivers, including information about specific diseases, legal issues, financial issues, and employment issues. If you are looking for caregiver support groups near you, visit their website or call 1-800-394-2240.

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)

The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for family caregivers. FCA provides information, education, and support to caregivers of ill or aging family members. FCA’s website offers resources like fact sheets about caregivers’ specific issues or caregiver self-care tips. There are also many resources available for finding local services for caregivers in your area, including a database of local service providers that can help with tasks like meal planning and household management.

If you’re looking for more peer support than an online forum can provide—or if you want to meet other people who understand precisely what it feels like to be taking care of someone else—FCA has community groups available in most states where they have a presence.

Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is another excellent resource for caregivers. They offer information about Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as support for you and your loved one. They also provide education and training for caregivers so that you can learn how to be the best possible caregiver for your family member or friend with dementia.

You can get help with the emotional challenges of being a caregiver by calling their Caregiver Support Line at 800-272-3900 or visiting their website at http://www.alz.org/caregivers/. You will find a wealth of helpful information here too!

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer and providing help for those fighting the disease. They offer financial assistance, education, support groups, and resources for those diagnosed with breast cancer. They also provide information on other types of cancer and healthy living tips that can help you live better with a cancer diagnosis.

• Contact Information: (800) 227-2345
• Location: Central New Jersey Region/Mid Atlantic Division Office

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provide information, assistance, and advocacy for older adults and their families. These community-based, nonprofit organizations help older adults in need of care find local services in their communities.

AAA provides a wide range of services to the aging population. These include Medicare prescription drug coverage counseling, information and assistance with home care services, long-term care options counseling, individualized planning for a secure future, and referrals to local resources.

Home-Assisted Senior Care

Home-assisted senior care is a type of care where a caregiver comes to the home of the person needing care. This might be provided by family members or friends or paid for by an agency. Home-assisted senior care is sometimes called “in-home” services, though this term can also refer to other types of in-home support (e.g., housekeeping).

Home-assisted senior care is often a good option for people who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs): bathing and dressing, using the toilet and kitchen appliances, getting around inside and outside the home, shopping, and handling finances.

Find a caregiver support group in your area.

We’re here to help you find a support group that’s right for you. We have resources to help you find caregiver support groups in your area and information on the types of support groups available and how they can be beneficial.

We hope this helps!

Conclusion

Caregiving can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially if you don’t have anyone to turn to for help and support. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Caregivers across the country are banding together in support groups where they can find understanding companionship from others who share their experiences. So, if you’re looking for someone else who cares about what happens to your loved one as much as they do, look no further than your local caregiver support group near me!