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Universities That Offer Caregiver Support Counseling

People suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dementia, disabilities and terminal illnesses need and receive tremendous attention from the people around them. Families often devote themselves to their loved one in need of care. Recently, health care providers have begun to recognize and focus on the fact that caregivers are people in need of care too. The exhausting job of caring for an impaired person can take a tremendous emotional, physical and financial toll. Pioneering universities have begun programs to address the needs of caregivers.

  1. Columbia University

    • Columbia University Medical Center wants to give caregivers more than support -- it wants them to have a day to indulge in art. The medical center takes advantage of its metropolitan location by hosting caregiver support groups twice a month at some of New York's finest art museums. Depending on whether a caregiver has a loved one with early stage, moderate or advanced dementia, they may enjoy meetings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art of the Guggenheim Museum. Columbia has professionals on hand to lead guided support group meetings and then encourages group members to take some time for art therapy.

    Louisville University

    • The irreversible loss of memory compounds the pain and emotions surrounding caregiving. Spouses and family members watch their loved ones slip away while the continue to care for them. The University of Louisville believes that caregivers of Alzheimer's and dementia patients face special problems that need therapy and a dedicated support contact. The school's Volunteer Caregiver program supports individuals and families throughout the Louisville area at no cost.

    Yale University

    • Yale University's Worklife Program provides support to people going through a variety of life changing events from adoption to elderly care. It offers a number of support groups at its New Haven location including one for families and caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Support groups have no associated fees and are most likely to benefit residents of New Haven and surrounding areas.

    Rosalynn Carter Institute

    • Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter worked with the Georgia University System to create an institute for caregiving at Georgia Southwestern University. Mrs. Carter believed that little to no resources were available to people caring for sick and disabled family members and she wanted to change that. Her collaborative work with GSU led to the CARE-NET program that has created offices with support groups and counseling throughout Georgia. Additionally, in 2008, GSU introduced a Caregiving Specialist Certificate -- an interdisciplinary educational program to prepare people for specialized work or a career in a caregiving field

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