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Not Alone Anymore

 


            There are times when, no matter how strong you are, you need to lean on someone else. The people in this support group have found a guilt-free way of doing something for themselves, giving themselves a place to vent and grieve the life they had before their loved one’s diagnosis. Not only are they building a support system, one they may not find in their current social circle, but they are creating a resource of information about what may come next. Additionally, one day, they may be the person with the information to share. Listening to these caregivers share their stories and heartaches, you know that living this lifestyle, if you can call it that, ages them beyond the years and months since their loved one was diagnosed.  

            This caregiver support group could be considered a mental health group, as it is certainly beneficial to the members in that manner. It is a social category, brought together by the identity of being a caregiver, and they share the common goal to support one another through this difficult process. Additionally, the participants hold each other accountable, to the extent possible, that each person tries to do something for themselves between meetings. There are two parts of group development that can occur multiple times throughout the life of a caregiver support group. Sadly, with the progression of Alzheimer's will eventually come death. This will inherently mean that some members will “adjourn” from the group after their loved one’s passing. Similarly, new caregivers may join the group, restarting the “forming” stage. The members of this group have a high need for affiliation, a motivating sense of tension that can be relieved by joining with other people (Forsyth, 2019). Similarly, especially if they are the caregiver for a spouse, they may also have a need for intimacy, a motivating sense of tension that can be relieved by seeking out warm, positive relationships with others (Forsyth, 2019). The social support offered by the caregiver group provided a sense of belonging, emotional support, advice, guidance, and perspective provided by the other group members (Forsyth, 2019).

As I see my mother traveling a similar road as my father’s caregiver, knowing that he too will never be free of his disease, I hope that I can encourage her to find a support group. I have watched her crumble in silence, not wanting to upset my Dad, but knowing she needs to be able to let out her sadness and fears in some way. I know that a support group would offer her tremendous benefits and perhaps make her feel less alone.

 

References:

Forsyth, D. R. (2019). In Group Dynamics (7th ed.), Cengage.



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