Westminster of Lake Ridge will be at Pohick Church on Tuesday, June 10 to present the benefits and opportunities of this adult community.  There will be a FREE lunch at 12 noon, and then some of the residents will make a presentation. The entire event is scheduled from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm.  It is open to ANYONE who might be interested.

There is an Interfaith Summit 2008 planned for June 11 from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm at George Mason University. The topic is: Where to Start: Closing the Gap in Serving Seniors. It is entirely FREE, and open to anyone interested in ways to build ministries for older people. There will be a free breakfast, box lunch, and parking included for those attending. For more information, contact Carol Heddleston at CHeddleston@comcast.net.

Caregivers

            Caregivers should consider joining a support group. Attending a support group is an excellent way to reduce caregiver stress. In a support group, members share their thoughts, feelings, resources, and suggestions with other individuals who have the shared experience of providing care for a loved one. The monotony and isolation of providing care can often lead to frustration and even depression. In a support group, members are able to laugh at the tragic, cry openly in their grief, and provide much needed comfort to others. Often, a fresh perspective can be gained in a support group meeting that is affirming and inspiring.
            A major benefit of attending a support group is having the chance to hear experiences of other members who are in different stages of giving care. For caregivers with lots of experience, support groups provide a time to share some of the lessons they have learned. Ideas and suggestions are shared, i.e., how to get more cooperation from an unwilling loved one, or how to lower frustration in providing care. For members who have only begun their role of caregiver, it can be very helpful to hear what they might expect in the future. Knowing what to expect helps the caregiver to make changes and prepare emotionally, financially, and physically for the future.
            Another benefit of attending a support group is the opportunity to gain group feedback and validation regarding family conflict. Caregivers often deal with  family members who are struggling with their own reaction to the loved one in need. Conflict with other family members is common. Having an opportunity to present ideas and hear the honest and confidential feedback of objective support group members allows the caregiver to consider each situation without the interference of family history, dynamics, or bias.
            Most local support groups are free of charge, and are held at convenient times and locations. Although it is not always easy for caregivers to push themselves into making the time and the arrangements to attend, one of the best ways for caregivers to take care of themselves is by regularly attending the support group meeting that they come to call - my group.