Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, but can also leave you feeling overwhelmed, isolated and alone. Some people have friends and family to lean on, but not everyone has the level of support that they need. While a group setting may not be for everyone, many relationships and strong bonds form as a result of finding that person or people who share a common experience of caregiving. Everyone’s caregiving journey is unique, but finding someone who understands, listens and validates what you’re going through can be so vital.

Recognizing that you need support is often the first step, but finding a group can easily get pushed to the bottom of the already long to-do list of a caregiver. When you are ready to begin your search, consider the following questions and options to locate a group that best suits your needs.

• Which dates and times work best for your schedule?
• Who are the attendees of the group? Spouses? Adult children?
• Who runs the group and what is their background?
• Which groups will provide you with the best information based on the care recipient’s needs?
• Do you prefer a virtual or in person group? How many people are in the group?
• Do you need support with grieving the loss of a loved one or someone close to you?

The following are some options for finding the resources that fit your needs.

General Caregiver Support Groups:

• Contact your local senior center/Council on Aging – their newsletter should have a current listing of groups and services. The National Council on Aging has a directory where you can find your local COA.

Bereavement/Loss:

• Consider contacting your physician or local hospital
• Contact your local senior center or hospice care.

Caring for someone with dementia:

• The Alzheimer’s Association – https://www.alz.org/
• Contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 hotline to find a group right for you (800-272-3900)
• Your local senior center/Council on Aging may also offer a support group focused on dementia needs.

Grandparents raising grandchildren:

• The Commission on the Status of Grandparents raising grandchildren has a wealth of resources on their website at https://massgrg.com/

Mental Health groups and needs:

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL): A 24/7 hotline and online chat to connect individuals with clinical help and guidance, available at 833-773-2445 or online at https://www.masshelpline.com/
• National Alliance on Mental Illness – https://www.nami.org/support-groups/

Whether it’s a support group, a caregiver specialist at your local aging service access point, like Springwell, or friends & family, we hope you are encouraged to share your caregiving journey in order to find the support and resources you need.