Caregiver Support Group Activities

Caregiving can be a strenuous, time-consuming and emotionally exhausting job. Whether you are in a hired position or have become a caregiver due to the circumstances of an ailing friend or family member, providing round-the-clock supervision and protection can leave you in need of support and respite. Caregiver support groups seek to do just this. Caregivers, who are often consumed with the welfare of their charge, sometimes neglect their own emotional and physical well-being. When utilizing healthy activities, caregiver support groups can help to diffuse this.

Field Trips

• Caregivers spend a good amount of time indoors with a patient who is disabled or infirm in some way. Because of this, a simple trip to a park, a picnic and hike, or a movie or community event can offer some relief from a day (or several) of being indoors. For caregivers who see limited physical activity due to the time spent with their charge, choose activities that are physically fulfilling.

  Additionally, simple laughter can do wonders for caregivers accustomed to spending time alone with their patients. A simple trip to the movies for a comedy can help restore everyone's humor.

Group Trips/Retreats

• For many, giving care is a job (whether or not they are paid), and like any job, time off is necessary for mental and emotional well-being. Since caregivers often feel guilty for taking time off, organizing a trip as a support group can reassure them that vacation time is necessary to prevent burnout. Whether you plan a short day trip or a week-long cruise, make sure that your group has adequate time to prepare and make arrangements for their charges. Often those who never take vacations are the ones who need it the most, so make the most of any time you and your fellow caregivers can spare.

Group Therapy Sessions

• Like any job, giving constant care has its stresses and annoyances. Allow your support group to be an outlet for frustrations by holding regular group therapy sessions. Assure fellow caregivers that all complaints are confidential and no topic is off limits. If you are leading the therapy session, open it yourself by speaking candidly to encourage other members to do the same. Openly airing complaints will help diminish the guilt other caregivers may feel for having frustrations of their own.

Telephone Pals

• Since caregivers often have a difficult time finding time outside the home to meet for support groups, take advantage of any group time by forming a telephone pal system. Group caregivers into pairs or trios and direct them to arrange time throughout the week to talk on the phone. If your group meets only once a week or once a month, having a phone call to look forward to daily or semi-weekly can give each caregiver something to look forward to as well as build relationships within the group.