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By Kristine Dwyer, LSW
Expect the attendance of the group to ebb and
flow especially in the early months as the group is
forming. Encourage family members as well as friends
to attend the meetings. A core group may begin to
emerge after several months as participants find
mutual support and bond with others in the group.
Regular attendance also increased when tasks were
delegated and participants played a part in the
group such as helping to set up the resource table,
bringing treats, handing out nametags, or welcoming
newcomers. Another option is to offer free blood
pressures or prize drawings for massages, meal
coupons or other items that support caregivers and
encourage attendance.
As the group develops, keep it small. The purpose
of the group is to allow time for each person to
listen and share, but this becomes more difficult if
the group size exceeds 12. You may want to consider
splitting the group if it becomes too large and
impersonal.
Spend the first few meetings getting to know each
other and identifying the needs and interests of the
group. Educational speakers, videos and
presentations can be scheduled later on. Some groups
have decided to alternate between having a speaker
one month and open discussion the next month.
Create a buddy system and a phone roster so that
participants can call upon each other for help and
support between group meetings.
Finally, remember that each group is as unique as
its leadership and members. Make the most of that
uniqueness and build on the group’s strengths and
ideas. Caregiver groups are designed to offer
mutual support, resources, education and hope for
the future.
Kristine Dwyer is the
Caregiver Consultant and Group Facilitator for
Carlton County Public Health, Cloquet, Minnesota
Find or list a caregiver support group in your area.
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