TERM 3 Caring for Carers : Monthly Skills Based Support Group

Caring for Carers is a support and skill building group. 

This group was originally created to help bridge the gap in services, and help support carers. Due to lack of services available carers often end up in the position of supporting loved ones through their Mental Illness.  We have found that individuals who are caring for someone with a Mental Health diagnosis are often caring for others in their lives. In our more recent groups our converstions have grown and we recognize that the role of "carer" is often never ending. 

Who is a Carer?

A carer is someone who is responsible for looking after another person

What is Caregiver burn out?

While caring for a loved one can be very rewarding, it also involves many stressors. And since caregiving is often a long-term challenge, the emotional impact can snowball over time. You may face years or even decades of caregiving responsibilities. It can be particularly disheartening if you feel that you’re in over your head, if there’s no hope that your family member will get better, or if, despite your best efforts, their condition is gradually deteriorating.

If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it can take a toll on your health, relationships, and state of mind—eventually leading to burnout, a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. And when you get to that point, both you and the person you’re caring for suffer.

That’s why taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Cultivating your own emotional and physical well-being is just as important as making sure your family member gets to their doctor’s appointment or takes their medication on time. 

Signs and symptoms of caregiver stress and burnout

Learning to recognize the signs of caregiver stress and burnout is important, so you can take immediate action to prevent things from becoming worse and start improving the situation for both you and the person you're caring for.

Common signs and symptoms of caregiver stress:

• Anxiety, depression, irritability.
• Feeling tired and run down.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Overreacting to minor nuisances.
• New or worsening health problems.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Feeling increasingly resentful.
• Drinking, smoking, or eating more.
• Neglecting responsibilities.
• Cutting back on leisure activities.

Common signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout

• You have much less energy than you once had.
• It seems like you catch every cold or bout of flu that’s going around.
• You’re constantly exhausted, even after sleeping or taking a break.
• You neglect your own needs, either because you’re too busy or you don’t care anymore.
• Your life revolves around caregiving, but it gives you little satisfaction.
• You have trouble relaxing, even when help is available.
• You’re increasingly impatient and irritable with the person you’re caring for.
• You feel helpless and hopeless.

This group is the perfect space to explore strategies around coping with Carer guilt, burn out and worry. We come together for 90 minutes a month to share space and skills and we grow together along the way.

This group may be appropriate for:

• Individuals (parents, friends, spouses) who are supporting a loved one who may be struggling with Anxiety, Self Esteem challenges, Inability to attend school, Eating Disorders, Depression etc. 
• Individuals who are open to learning strategies, skills and discussing the challenges that come with learning to navigate Mental Illness in the home.
• Individuals who are feeling the impact of carer burn out (feeling tired, hopeless, agitated, confused and scared). 
• Individuals who would benefit from a check in and connect with others in similar positions. 
• Individuals who have recently been through a challenging time with their loved one and want to maintain support.

Each evening will include a group check in, a facilitator led topic presentation and open discussion.  

This group will be a CLOSED group limited to 10 people.  Your registration is for all 6 sessions and the group members will stay the same for 6 months. After every 6 month interval we will open it up to others to join. This helps with consistency and allows for us to pick up each month and hold each other accountable with any goals or intentions made.

Wednesday, October 18th 2023

Wednesday, November 15th 2023

Wednesday, December 13th 2023

Wednesday, January 10th 2023

Wednesday, February 7th 2023

Wednesday, March 6th 2023

 

Why Groups? 

-No matter how you go about getting the caregiver support you need, the advantages of joining a support group are endless. Some of the benefits you’ll experience include: A chance to share common experiences. If you feel like you’re the only one who is dealing with a difficult caregiving situation, a support group can put that idea to rest. You’ll meet individuals who probably experience very similar situations day in and day out, and just talking about them gives peace of mind and can lead to you being a better caregiver, plus validate any feelings you might be having.

-Learn coping strategies. Support groups offer a way to learn new coping strategies by talking to others. Even when you feel like you’re doing just fine, caregiving duties can ultimately begin to take a toll. You’ll be able to discuss what worked for others, finding solutions to common issues.

-Receive affirmation that attending to your own needs is vital. Caregivers can often feel guilty about leaving their loved one for any length of time, taking the full burden of their care needs. However, support groups can reaffirm the importance of taking care of yourself; that it’s not selfish to attend to your own needs.

-Form friendships to help avoid isolation. Isolation can also become a problem for caregivers, who get so involved in caregiving that their world becomes quite limited. A support group provides not only a way to meet new friends with common interests, but also to avoid isolation that can lead to loneliness and depression.

-The opportunity to help others. The skills you’ve acquired as a caregiver can be shared with others. In a caregivers support group, you’ll be able to support and help others while receiving the support you need, too.

-This group is for you if you have attended any of the Caring For Carers workshops Carly has run over the years and found them helpful. You don't  need to be in crisis to attend this group and we very much encourage parents to attend to get support for their own emotional health vs. finding ways to help the person they are supporting only. 

Facilitated by: Carly Crawford, Registered Psychotherapist 

Investment is $75.00 +HST  per group 

**Receipt provided for insurance purposes. 

Payment is due the Monday before the group confirm attendance.