Via Zoom
Twice a Month Wednesdays
Sharing 2nd Wed's
Education Guest Speakers 4th Wed's
at 3:30 pm
Ground Rules for Support Group
This is a mutual self-help group, not a therapy group. Hopefully, this group will provide emotional, psychological, and moral support for its members. Each of the participants are encouraged to participate to whatever extent they feel comfortable. The following ground rules facilitate the development of trust in the group and enable them to share their thoughts and feelings with each other:
Because of confidentiality, we expect that each member will not repeat personal information shared here today.
We are here to share feelings and experiences. We try not to give advice.
We share responsibility for making this group work.
We try to accept people, just as they are, and avoid making judgements.
We try to give everyone an opportunity to share.
We have the right to speak or remain silent.
We will avoid side conversations.
We avoid interrupting.
We do not discuss group members who are not present.
We will begin and end on time.
A Poem about
Alzheimer’s
Do not ask me to remember.
Don’t try to make me understand.
Let me rest & know you’re with me.
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concepts.
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you,
to be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me.
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t help the way I’m acting.
Can’t be different ‘though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
that the best of me is gone.
Please don’t fail to stand beside me.
Love me ‘til my life is done.
Author unknown
If I Forget
If I ever forget to remember what happened yesterday, let me.
If I lose my keys again, and you find them on the shelf with the cereal, just don't tell me where.
If I seem confused, understand I am not, my thoughts seem to travel further than I expected to go .
When you hear the same story I told you only the day before, don't stop me before I finish.
If I ever forget to remember what it was you think I somehow forgot, remind me.
If for one moment you look, but I can't see you, wait, trust me I'm still there, my heart never forgets.
KM
A Caregiver's Commandments
AGREE Never Argue
REDIRECT Never Reason
DISTRACT Never Shame
REASSURE Never Lecture
REMINISCE Never say, “Remember?”
REPEAT Never say, “I already told you.”
SAY “DO WHAT YOU CAN.” Never say, “You can’t.”
ASK Never Command
ENCOURAGE AND PRAISE Never Condescend
REINFORCE Never Force
A Caregiver’s Bill of Rights
By Jo Horne
I have the right:
To take care of myself.
This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my loved one.
To seek help from others even though my loved ones may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy.
I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.
To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.
To reject any attempts by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, and /or depression.
To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones, for as long as I offer these qualities in return.
To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my loved one no longer needs my fulltime help.
To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting caregivers.
5 Daily Affirmations For Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers
I am doing the best I can do today.
I give myself permission to feel frustrated at times and know it’s okay and normal.
I will try to ask for help and guidance when necessary.
My self-care is equally as important as the care I provide to my loved one
Attending support group meetings provides an opportunity to feel connected with others.
