The Caregiver Space has always revolved around asynchronous support groups (like online forums, Facebook groups, group journaling, and group texts). Adrienne found it impossible to reliably attend in-person meetings, even as someone who has no qualms walking into a room full of strangers and being honest about who she is and what she's dealing with.
Like Adrienne, some of our members would be happy to attend an in-person group or virtual group in real time, but it's just not a realistic option right now. Others, like me, wouldn't necessarily think to attend a support group.
The only in-person support group I've attended was the LGBTQ in college, which I went to in the hopes that it would be a good way to meet girls. I became the president because I like organizing things and it was a good way to meet girls. I'm someone who will share all sorts of things online and has no qualms hopping on stage and giving a speech on a whim (which my friends sometimes try to make me promise not to do before dinners and parties). The thought of going to an in-person support group to actually discuss my feelings, though, that makes me nervous.
If you're curious about attending an in-person support group, now is probably a good time to check things out. Things are still happening over video chat and hopefully soon many will be shifting back to in-person meetings. As awkward as video chats can be, it does make it a little easier to pop in to check things out. We're far enough into living life online that the technology feels familiar and group facilitators have figured out how to make it easy to connect with each other.
The other day I spoke with Laurel Wittman, the president elect of the Well Spouse Association, about how intimidating it can be to walk into a caregiving support group for the first time. Especially as a young caregiver, where you stand out in many groups.
There are certainly major differences in the care work experience based on our demographics and our life choices. There are also a lot of similiarities across all caregiving experiences. Sometimes differences allow us to uncover options and insights we wouldn’t have otherwise noticed.
Well Spouse’s annual conference is coming up and, like WSA generally, while it’s a paid event it’s an intentionally affordable $15. They have a great line-up with some familiar names. If you’re interested in joining one of their suppor groups across the US, here’s what you need to know.
If you’re looking for information on support groups that meet over video or in-person, we have conversations going in the main FB group as well as the young caregivers group. Feel free to share information about support groups in the comments.
If you’re willing to take a little risk to help us out, The Caregiver Space is currently shadow banned from Facebook and traffic to our website is down over 75%.
There are a couple of articles that are permanently banned, meaning you can’t share them or even send them in a direct message. Annie Sprinkle’s article has been delisted by Google for being sexually explicit. Articles discussing nursing home abuse get repeatedly flagged as abusive. Machine learning tools aren’t so smart and the review process has gotten us nowhere.
It’d mean a lot if you could share a post that feels meaningful to you from our archives.
Labor Day feels like the appropriate time to share the Fight for 15, advocating for an increase in the US’s minimum wage, which is not pegged to inflation. Support from professional care workers is essential and they deserve a living wage, access to medical care, paid time off, and retirement benefits. Let’s start with $15/hour.
In case you aren't tired of my weird thing with how, for a lot of people, running seems to be a coping mechanism that's no different from any other type of self injury, Devin Kelly has a poignant essay on coping, injury, and accepting help.
Mark Manson has an interesting case to make for embracing internal conflict.
I’ve been running 2 (previously) in-person support groups for about 10 years once a month for people with Parkinson’s and caregivers and family members. We met the 2nd Tuesday morning of the month and also once a month at night fir people who are still working (Young Onset Parkinson’s disease). I also used to attend a caregiver group once a month. All have gone on zoom which I don’t like as much. I think people learn more from support groups than they do from their doctors. I donate my time and it’s been very good for me.