Q: You recently wrote about caregiver options for help. You left out something that was very helpful to me - caregiver support groups. Are there any that meet locally? I used them in my previous city before retiring.
A: Thank you so much for bringing that idea up to me. I had not included the option of caregiver support groups. In my previous caregiver tools from a few weeks ago, I did neglect to include the support group. Often, those individuals who are doing a similar task as you can give you some wonderful pointers.
There are many support groups in the area - groups such as Stroke Support, Diabetes Support, Breast Cancer Support and many other groups as well. All of these groups are wonderful ways of helping yourself. The Chautauqua County Office for the Aging has a list of all support groups available in our region.
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Today I will cover caregiver support groups only. There are two primary ones in the area. The first one I will cover is the caregiver support group run by Family Service of Chautauqua Region. This group meets monthly at the Christ First Church at 663 Lakeview Ave., Jamestown. The meeting is held on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 12:25 to 1:45 p.m. This is a group that is open to caregivers of any age group. The Family Service staff person who currently oversees this meeting is Connie Ackerman. Connie is a licensed social worker (LSW) who is working to help you, the caregiver, cope with the hand you have been dealt. The real key to this successful group is the other caregivers who attend. Each caregiver brings previously learned skills to the table to discuss and get advice on. With all the different experiences and strategies that individuals have, you can pull out pieces of success that have worked for others, to help you cope with your responsibilities.
The other support group that I would like to highlight that currently meets locally is the Alzheimer's Association's caregiver support group. This support group is specifically aimed at those individuals caring for someone with a dementia diagnosis. That doesn't have to be just Alzheimer's Disease. It could be dementia caused from any disease, such as Parkinson's, Multi-Infarct Dementia and too many others to name. Your family member doesn't need to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's to attend this meeting. This meet was previously held at Memory Gardens, but recently has changed its location. This meeting will be held now at the Jamestown Area Medical Associates Riverwalk Center on the second floor. The meeting is held the second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. The facilitator of this meeting is Maggie Irwin, who is a licensed social worker. Maggie Irwin can be reached at 483-5448 for further information or questions.
Support groups are a wonderful way to reach out to others. The other caregivers who attend offer advice, support and understanding when it comes to coping with what you are experiencing. They also have tricks that they have discovered or invented to help them. These could be very useful to you, or get you thinking about your situation in a different light.
Fact Box
As individuals retire or age into Medicare, their insurance situation can change dramatically. There are a multitude of options open to those with Medicare. The terms are different, the prices are different, the products offered are dramatically different each year.
The purpose of this column is to give those who are eligible for Medicare, or soon to be eligible for Medicare, some understanding of their insurance options and how it could impact their health and finances.
These questions and answers are meant as a guide to help you understand the complex questions you are now thinking about. Each individual's specific situation may create a different solution. You shouldn't necessarily do what your friends, family and neighbors do.
At most other times in our life, when something important happens, we have a way of reaching out for help. Some examples of this are a bridal shower, baby shower, new membership group, orientation programs at work. When our parents age and we begin taking care of them, or our spouse has a stroke and can't take care of themselves, there isn't a traditional way of passing on that support or advice to you. We don't usually get others reaching out to give us advice or help with these caregiving responsibilities. These caregiver groups do that and do that very well.
Think about calling for more information or attending one of these groups. You never know who you might meet or what problem you might solve with the support of others doing what you do.
Janell Sluga is a geriatric care manager certified and works for Senior Life Matters, a program of Lutheran Senior Housing, and has worked in Chautauqua County with seniors for more than 18 years. She is HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program) counselor-trained by Office for the Aging. She does not sell insurance or represent any insurance company. She is an unbiased source of insurance and education to help seniors choose the best option for them.
You may submit questions to be answered in later columns to Janell Sluga at Senior Life Matters, 737 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701, or call 716-720-9797, or by email at janells@lutheran-jamestown.org. Please remember that not all questions can be answered in this format, but as many as can be, will be.