In Support of Support Groups

Posted 12/20/24

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore. -Psalm 133

Disclaimer: I acknowledge I am not great at moderation. I get it. I do. 🙂 This is another area of my life on which I could/should probably cool my jets. However, I feel strongly. I really want to encourage you to find one or even better some support group(s) to attend. Here is my rationale:

We NEED community through this journey. Badly.
Support groups do monthly well what the yearly Walk to End Alzheimer’s does amazingly: they help you realize that you are not alone and not only are others dividing your sorrow, but they are available to multiply your joy. 🙂
I attend 2-3 on a pretty regular basis and have for years. I also, as of the writing of this post, facilitate 9 of them sprinkled throughout the 17 counties that SeniorAge covers. 🙂 I am very thankful to SeniorAge for allowing me the time to help groups in this way! Does having 9 groups (and counting) make me biased? Sure…but it also makes me know what I am sayin’ here. I literally learn a lot every single meeting. They are a learning paradise and they re invaluable for our pre-grieving hearts.
They are free. Not much free these days…
The bigger the group, the more the members can share and learn and grow. 🙂
They make you a better caregiver. We ALL need tools. Tools are dished out like Reece’s Christmas Trees at groups! 🙂
We all need a break. Some groups have activities for the loved one with dementia. Others do not. If you need some respite help, here is one good place to get some coverage while you attend: https://wearehfc.org/care-grants/
Your experience helps others as much as theirs helps you. It is truly a win-win!
Watchin’ for wolves works better in a group. Believe it or not, there are those who prey on folks with dementia. These groups are a great platform to help others be warned of scams and scam doctors. (BTW…there is a special, super hot place in hell for those who would prey on someone with dementia and their caregivers. Justice will be done someday either in this world or at judgment.)
Rerun… We need others. We need a team. We need respite, palliative care, family, friends, pastor/deacons, people with experience, and more. We need each other.

Are you sold yet???

Here is a link where you can find one: https://www.alz.org/help-support

You can also email me at mark.applegate@senioragemo.org and I will add you to my Zoom version which meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 4:30 CST. While a Zoom support group can be wonderful (!!!), try to also find an in-person group as well. 🙂

Have you lost a loved one with dementia? Consider Griefshare or a similar grief support group and/or Christian therapy. It is ok to grieve. There is a season for such (The Bible explained it well in Ecclesiastes). However, once you feel good about the topic, even while knowing you will never 100% recover from the loss, help with or be trained to facilitate a support group for caregivers. Then you can share the wealth of life experience with those who badly need it. Don’t let the stinkin’ disease win by not sharing what you have learned. In serving in this way, we can turn the Brussel’s Sprouts of dementia into Lemonade.

#EndALZ