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How to Care: Locating a Support Group
Questions to ask
- Is this the right group for you? Does it address your concerns?
- Do you need to meet face to face with others?
- Will telephone or online support suffice?
- Are you comfortable sharing your intimate feelings with others?
- Are you willing to listen to other people's difficulties?
- Are you deriving benefit from the group?
- Does the group leader maintain control or do meetings lose focus, leaving you frustrated?
Note:
Too many caregivers claim they don't have the time to attend support
groups. Please make the time; it's critical for your survival.
Steps
to take
- Determine what you need from a support group.
- Find out if there is an existing group that meets your needs.
- Discover sources of information about support groups
- self-help clearinghouses and resource centres
- social service agencies
- volunteer bureaus
- community agencies
- health, disease and disability associations
- seniors' centres
- churches and other religious institutions
- hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities
- professional therapists
- newspaper listings
- community services directories
- community services listings
- the Internet
- Visit support groups with similar concerns
- Join the group that best meets your needs
- Start your own support group, if necessary.
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