Benefits of a Caregiver Support Group

Whether you are caring for a partner, parent or friend, one source for help that most people who have gone through a similar experience can agree on is the help of support groups. When you attend a support group, you meet other people who are in the same situation as yourself. You begin to understand that you are not alone and the emotional roller coaster that you are going through is normal. The mutual encouragement that you can receive from a support group can boost your emotional, and even physical, well-being.

For families and friends who care for a person with Parkinson’s, talking with others who are going through the same experience can be a vital lifeline. PD support groups provide a place where caregivers can seek respite, express concerns, share experiences, get tips and receive emotional comfort.

Regardless of format, in a support group, you'll find people with problems similar to yours. Members of a support group typically share their personal experiences and offer one another emotional comfort and moral support. They may also offer practical tips to help you cope with your situation.

Benefits of participating in support groups may include:

• Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged
• Gaining a sense of empowerment and control Improving your coping skills and sense of adjustment
• Talking openly and honestly about your feelings
• Reducing distress, depression or anxiety
• Developing a clearer understanding of what to expect with your situation
• Comparing notes about resources, such as doctors and alternative options

Young Onset Caregiver Support Groups

Improved diagnostic tests and increasing awareness of Parkinson’s mean that more and more people are now being diagnosed at early stages of PD. People in the early stages often still have good coping skills and are intensely aware of themselves and their symptoms. They also may feel considerable distress, embarrassment, and isolation because of a perceived stigma associated with the disease.

As a result, a growing number of people with early-stage PD and their family members are looking for coping strategies, meaningful activities, and mental stimulation. They are eager to educate themselves about PD, share common experiences, and break the potential barriers and isolation caused by their diagnosis. This has led to the formation of early-stage support groups specifically designed to meet their needs.

This content was published in the Winter 2014 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.