By Sheila Julson Thompson
Like the Beatles sang, everybody gets by “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Nobody does it alone.
That’s why St. Ann Center has made a concerted effort to bring back support groups that, like so many gatherings, were discontinued during the pandemic.
Support group aim to connect people going through similar challenges, to provide them with valuable resources and — just as importantly –to feel less isolated. In most places (including St. Ann Center) they are free to join and attend.
At the Stein Campus, Karin Ziemienski facilitates three monthly support groups, including two specifically for caregivers in the community. The Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers Support group meets the first Wednesday at 1 p.m., and the general Caregivers Support group meets the third Wednesday at 1 p.m. She also facilitates a Parkinson’s Disease support group for both people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers; it meets the second Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
Twice each week, she leads a 9 a.m. veterans support group open to both adult clients and community members. The Wednesday group focuses on conversation and coffee; the Friday group converses over card games.
At Bucyrus, Sr. Gloria Wirba recently started the Staff Caregiver Support Group. She plans to start an additional support group there for caregivers who provide in-home care.
Caregiver groups are usually discussion-based, with occasional guest speakers. Providing a friendly, comfortable atmosphere encourages honest sharing, Karin noted, which can help them recharge.
“Being a caregiver can drain people,” said Karin. “They want to talk about their own experiences.”
While virtual support grouops bring the meetig right into your home via the internet, in-person groups often allow caregivers the luxury of speaking more freely, with no fear that the person they’re caring for will overhear and become upset…or pull them away to tend an emergency.
Information… and self-care
Guest speakers provide information and answer questions on a variety of related topics, from helpful pointers to advances in research. Karin supplies literature from the Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter, and the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.
She may remind them of the importance of traditional self-care tips (rest, maintaining a healthy diet, meditation, and taking breaks). Like parents flying with small children, caregivers of adults often need to be reminded why it’s important to “put on their own oxygen mask before assisting others.”
“Caregivers often feel like they don’t have the time for self-care,” Karen said, even though caregiving can be isolating and overwhelming. . “Support groups offer a sense of belonging and knowing that you’re not alone in your challenges. It can be a good way to connect–and we all need connections.”
To learn more, contact Karin Ziemienski at the Stein (414-977-5075 or kziemienski@stanncenter.org) or Sr. Gloria Wirba at the Bucyrus (414-210-2436 or gwirba@stanncenter.org).