What are the Benefits of Alzheimer’s Support Groups?

According to the Alzheimer's Association, over 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease. If you're living with Alzheimer's or caring for someone with the disease, the journey can sometimes feel lonely, tedious, and overwhelming. At such a point, joining Alzheimer's support groups can help you learn how to cope and get support from other individuals who have been in or are in a similar situation.

In this post, we explain what Alzheimer's support groups are as well as the benefits of joining one.

Alzheimer's support groups are gatherings where individuals who have similar experiences with the condition meet. The goal of these meetings is to share the needs, challenges, as well as expectations of living with Alzheimer's and get the necessary support to better manage the condition.

There are two main types of support groups: groups for those living with the disease and those for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. You can also find the appropriate support group for you through the Alzheimer's Association's Caregiver's Community Support Group Guide.

There, you can enter your zip code and get referrals for support group meetings in your area for families of Alzheimer's patients.

What are the Benefits of an Alzheimer's Support Group?

Emotional Support

Being the caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient can be emotionally draining due to the challenges experienced in ensuring they lead a fulfilling life. An Alzheimer's support group can be a great avenue to vent and speak about your feelings and frustrations without prejudice. 

In the end, you'll feel better and get the emotional support you need from the group. You can also read stories of how support groups have been instrumental in different caregivers' lives on the "Alzheimer's Association Personal Stories of Caregivers, Families, and Professionals."

Information Sharing and Education

Alzheimer's disease is a relatively unknown condition. In fact, new details about coping with and managing the disease are always arising. Attending an Alzheimer's support group can help you gain new information from other people on how to take better care of Alzheimer's patients without feeling overwhelmed. 

Coping Strategies

Different coping strategies and skills are also needed to take care of an Alzheimer's patient long-term without feeling overwhelmed. These can range from goal-setting skills to being flexible and open to misinterpretation. A support group can also give you practical tips to better care of yourself and your loved one with Alzheimer's. 

Sense of Community

Alzheimer's support groups consist of different individuals in society with a common goal. Because of the shared interests and struggles, individuals in these groups can develop tight bonds. In fact, having such close relationships with people who understand your struggles can help you feel like you're not alone in the caregiving journey, from which you can derive the strength to continue. 

Caregiver Self-Care

Alzheimer's support groups can also be a source of therapy and relief for caregivers. By simply venting out their frustrations as well as getting the necessary advice on coping, caregivers get in a better position to take care of patients. Apart from groups, other ways caregivers can take care of themselves include:

• Eating healthy diets
• Taking breaks daily
• Spending time with friends
• Sparing time for hobbies and interests
• Exercising regularly
• Going for doctor appointments
• Asking for help every once in a while

Advocacy and Awareness

Alzheimer's support groups have a say in policies and research advancements on the disease. These groups also play a great role in securing funds to enable the success of clinical development programs and enabling collaboration between different industries to address potential challenges. 

You can get involved in advocacy efforts for Alzheimer's disease by signing up for the Alzheimer's network of advocates. Once registered, you will get timely updates and alerts on actions needed to influence national policies and create awareness of the disease.

Get Professional Care for an Alzheimer's Patient

Barr Private Care provides professional patient care for people with Alzheimer's disease. You can rest easy knowing your loved one is well-taken care of by our professional caregivers. Contact us today for more information about our services.