Support can take different forms for family caregivers. There are the immediate contacts who can provide support for a caregiver by minding Mom or Dad on a temporary basis. There are the healthcare professionals who provide medical expertise to keep Mom or Dad as healthy as possible. There are the financial planners who make monetary recommendations to grow or maintain a parent's personal wealth. One type of support which may not be immediately obvious is a support group.
While you may hesitate to even think of joining such a group, please don't dismiss it too quickly. Support groups can provide a very safe and supportive environment where participants can share. Such groups are led by qualified staff who may even invite in guest speakers to lecture on certain topics. It might even be possible for group participants to be polled as to what they want to learn and a specific presenter could then be sought out.
You may well be nervous to even sit in with a support group. This is perfectly natural. Depending on just how open you are, it can be difficult to share difficult feelings. Know that participation in a support group is not forced; however, it is always encouraged. After all, the more you put in, the more you will get out of the process.
If you just cannot see yourself joining a support group, consider individual counselling ... this will provide an outlet for you to air your concerns to a nonjudgemental individual. By doing so, you are less likely to bottle up all of these weighty negatives which can affect your mood, your sleep, your appetite, your relationships and your own health. Those specialists who can offer individual counselling include pyschiatrists, psychologists, social workers and mental health workers. Shop around and choose someone who you are comfortable speaking with.
No comments:
Post a Comment