Online Support Groups for Caregivers of Elderly Parents
Working as a caregiver for your elderly parent can be extremely rewarding, although it can also present unique challenges. This is especially true for first-time caregivers or individuals who are balancing caregiving with a demanding career.
If you’re struggling with the responsibilities of caregiving for your aging parents, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Getting connected with other adult children of seniors can help you gain important perspective and insight, as well as find helpful tips for coping with the difficulties of caregiving.
Best Online Support Groups for Caregivers
Support groups are a great way for caregivers to meet one another, but if you have a busy schedule with work and family, you may not be able to commit to in-person meetings on a regular basis. Take the time to browse these options for online caregiver support groups that could give you the benefits you need without schedule conflicts.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Chat Group
Are you taking care of elderly parents who are experiencing conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s? The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Chat Group focuses specifically on sharing stories and allowing a space for members to be fully honest with their feelings.
Members support one another and aim to find the moments of beauty or levity in their experiences.
AgingCare’s Caregiver Forum
On AgingCare’s Caregiver Forum, caregivers of all ages and experience levels can ask questions to their community members without judgment. AgingCare is the partner site of A Place for Mom, another trusted resource in the caregiver community.
This platform is presented in the style of a message board, so you can browse previously asked questions and find the information you need that way. Posting questions and answers requires users to sign up, but you can simply browse the site without making an account.
Caregiver Support Community
While some caregiving support sites are open to professional caregivers as well as family members, Caregiver Support Community is focused entirely on providing a space for family caregivers to learn what to expect, ask questions, and share their experiences openly.
Before joining Caregiver Support Community, you’ll be prompted to share your personal caregiving story. This platform encourages openness and helps members feel less alone in their caregiving journey.
Caregivers of Narcissistic Family Members
If your relationship with your aging parent is strained due to their past narcissistic behavior, it can complicate the caregiving experience for both of you.
Caregivers of Narcissistic Family Members provides a space for adult children navigating this specific dynamic as they learn how to provide care that meets their parent’s needs. Members of this group offer suggestions and share what worked for them so that both caregiver and parent can feel supported.
Working Daughter
Many single mothers have to balance the responsibilities and pressures of caregiving with working full-time and raising their children. Working Daughter was created for women feeling overwhelmed by the addition of caregiving to their already full plate.
With thousands of members, Working Daughter is a great place for adult daughters of aging parents to access resources and realistic advice, vent about their struggles, and extend support to other women in similar situations.
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
Family caregivers can have many varying experiences based on many factors, including age, lifestyle, and life experience. This is why their support system should be just as unique as they are.
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) aims to connect family caregivers from all walks of life, with special forums designed for young adult caregivers, LGBTQ+ caregivers, and others. Members of FCA discuss caring for aging parents with a variety of physical and cognitive conditions, including Parkinson’s, strokes, broken bones, and brain injuries.
Care for Yourself as a Caregiver
When your own needs are unmet as a caregiver, it can affect the quality of care you’re able to provide to your aging parents. You deserve the same consideration and love that you’re graciously extending to your parents in their time of need.
Maintaining your own mental health as a caregiver isn’t always easy, but it’s extremely important. Consider joining an online community of other caregivers to learn new things and enjoy the benefits of peer support.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
