You are not alone! Family caregiving is a huge job and caregivers need both emotional support and physical help. The following caregivers discuss different support networks that work best for them.
I could not have come as far as I am without my family’s support, all of them and my doctor’s support and his office staff they’ve been wonderful, our neighbors have been great and understanding.
– Eunie, Caregiver for Husband, 9 Years
I’ve had friends offer to go take lunch for me or handle breakfast because my mom doesn’t have an appetite, so she has to be coerced at every meal, and I’m finally at the point where I can accept a co-worker saying, “I’ll handle dinner for you, and I’ll go over there and sit with her and make sure she eats…”
– Laura, Caregiver for Mother, 8 Years
I have not relied on anybody for support. Basically, I’ve just taken the whole thing on my shoulders.
– Wayne, Caregiver for Mother, 9 Years
If you know you need help, but don’t know how to ask for it. Check out this blog: How to Ask for Help
I’m still going to the support groups I have to do that, and I’m involved in my church, I can’t manage to get through this without my faith, I have to have the faith, and friends, I have a lot of supportive friends, and relatives, to help and listen.
– Joanne, Caregiver for Husband, 5 Years
…and it’s groups like this, the roundtable discussions that I think just let us see where we are and what might be down the road for us.
– Joey, Caregiver for Husband, 12 Years
…being able to share and listen to other people’s stories, it’s basically the same. I thought it was just me who was going through this.
– Dale, Caregiver for Husband, 5 Years
Most family caregivers find a lot of value in joining a support group. Search local support groups here: Support Groups
Source: Caregiver Action Network and Family Caregivers Online.
We hope this information is helpful to you in the important work you do as a family caregiver.
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