Caregivers
Caregivers Support Group
Updated 10/22/2021
Verona Caregivers Group
Meets at 10 AM on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month
Call 608-845-7471 for more information
We are here to support you!
For other groups in the area visit: http://www.daneadrc.org/doc/Caregiver%20Support%20Groups.pdf
Area Agency on Aging of Dane County
Caregiver Program
The Caring for Caregivers Program offers:
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Caregivers Newsletter
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Caring for Caregivers Grants
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Referrals and resources
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Resources for employed caregivers
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Support groups
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Grandparents & other relatives as parents caregiver program
For more information, contact the program coordinator at 608-261-9930 or debroux.jane@countyofdane.com
AARP Tips for Solo Caregivers
Take care of your own health. Most caregivers don’t, even though it’s logical that someone needs to be healthy to take care of others.
Find kindred spirits. Join a support group or find a way to connect with others. Give yourself a place to vent and find support and resources.
Stop beating yourself up. Caregiving triggers emotions. You may feel resentful or angry or guilty. Instead of criticizing yourself, write in a journal or talk to a trusted friend.
Get organized. Develop a daily routine and stick to it. Use a planner. Set reminders so you don’t forget appointments or to pick up a prescription.
Be a little selfish. Reserve one day a week for you and secure respite care for your loved one. Consider a home caregiver or adult day center.
Carry a list. Jot down things you do as well as things you need to do. Next time a friend or neighbor asks what they can do, pull out your list!
Let go. Are you making the situation worse by trying to control everything? If you are acting like a super hero others won’t recognize how much work you are doing or even that you need help at all.
Mindfulness & Dementia Care Support Group
Connect with others and learn mindfulness strategies to help you cope with your caregiver journey. Books are provided.
2nd Tuesdays at 6 PM
Online via Zoom
For more information and to RSVP contact Joy Schmidt at schmidt.joy@countyofdane.com
Verona Caregivers Group meets informally at 10 AM on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month.
No reservation needed. We are here to support you!
Call 608-845-7471 for more information.
Ten Ways to Support a Caregiver:
Caregivers often think of others and “givers” by nature. Caregivers will often not reach out when they need help or will refuse help. “What can I do to help you?” could likely be met with “Oh I am fine, thanks for thinking of me.” To support a caregiver, consider one or more of these ideas:
- Drop off pre-made, ready to eat food with a planned visit or a porch drop off.
- Offer to make a grocery run or pick up some healthy snacks before visiting.
- Give them a break. Respite can allow a caregiver to run some errands or take a walk.
- Learn about their care recipient’s illness to increase your ability to support them.
- Identify available community resources. Get the details and share.
- Spend some time just visiting. Loneliness can be a huge issue for caregivers.
- Keep in touch. Check in regularly, don’t wait for them to call you or ask for help.
- Send a “no response needed” text, drop a card or care package in the mail.
- Offer to help with yard work, laundry, sweep the floors, vacuum or wash windows.
- Run errands, plant flowers, fill bird feeders and assist with dwindling down their “to do” list.
Personal Emergency Response System
Are you in the market for a personal emergency response system for yourself or a family member? There are many to choose from and we may be able to help. Call a case manager to discuss options and get your information packet. Packet includes questions to ask service providers.
Verona Caregivers Support Group – Caregivers group currently meets virtually via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 10 AM. Call 608-845-7471 for more information.
DID YOU KNOW?
All Verona Senior Center virtual programming can be accessed by any type of phone. Call the Senior Center to register for an event and staff will give you the call-in phone number. If you leave a message, we will get back to you ASAP. When you call in for the event you will need to enter a meeting ID and a passcode, all of which we will give you.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of the great programs available! Check out pages 3 & 4!
Mindfulness & Dementia Care Support Group starts January
Connect with others virtually and learn mindfulness strategies to help you cope with your caregiver journey.
The group will read the book pictured on the right; books provided.
The group will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6 PM, beginning January 12th, 2021.
Please RSVP to Schmidt.joy@countyofdane.com.
On social media? Come join our private caregivers group on facebook!
Contact Julie at 608-848-0440 with questions
We have memory activity kits available for loan. Give us a call and we can arrange a pick up or drop off.
Verona Caregivers Group meets via ZOOM on:
- 1st Tuesday at 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87098662152?pwd=MzFGZWEvaCtZQ2t6ZEJFa04yQlBSdz09
- 3rd Tuesday at 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85910547197?pwd=d0ZQeUlBUjlIcXl5Z284K3JrS25IQT09
All caregivers or former caregivers are welcome. No RSVP required. Drop ins are welcome.
The Verona Caregiver support group is a fantastic group of people who support each other in all stages of caregiving and meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10:00. Club 108 is available as respite for your loved one while you attend if needed.
If you know a caregiver and have some time to spare, ask them if they need a break. Provide an afternoon of respite. Wash the windows.
Anything you can do to help the caregiver will be appreciated more than you will know. Many caregivers won’t ask for help, so by reaching out to them would be so, so helpful.
If you have any questions, please call Becky Losby at 845-7471.
May 21, 2019
John shared the article about Ambiguous Loss. I have retyped the article and you can access it by clicking Ambiguous Loss here.