NEW Caregiver Support Group

This is a new group that will be meeting at the Senior Center.

Group Goals:

The demands of being a caregiver for someone with dementia, Alzheimer's, or any life-threatening disease can be overwhelming, exhausting, and stressful, and frequently affect the caregiver's emotional, physical, and social well-being. The duties involved in being a caregiver may also result in stress and conflict within the family structure, causing further complications. Frequently, caregivers struggle with their own emotional and health issues, and the strain of caregiving may have a negative effect, making these problems worse. Some common caregiver complaints include increased fatigue, depression, hopelessness, sleep disorders, anger, and guilt. Having been a caregiver for a spouse with a terminal illness, I fully understand the responsibilities, feelings, and impact that accompany this unique job. The purpose of a caregiver support group is to provide a safe place to address these issues through education, group process, and healthy strategies for self-care, enhancing the caregiver’s quality of life. This group experience is not designed as therapy or to replace the traditional therapeutic experience; it is meant to be a forum for expression, support, and group feedback.

Bio:

I am proud to have lived in Cloverdale for 25 years, where I have raised my pygmy goats. As a Speech and Language Pathologist, I have provided services to kids with communicative disorders from preschool through high school. As a Psychologist, I have been in private practice where I worked with adults covering a wide range of psychological needs, as well as teaching at the university level. Most recently, I have led a support group for caregivers of dementia and Alzheimer's patients, where my goal has been to develop a partnership with group members to address the complex issues of being a caregiver and help provide healthy strategies to improve the quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

Dr. Jude Elliott

B.S., Psychology

M.S. Speech, Language, and Hearing Science

Ed.D., Clinical Psychology