Taking care of an aging loved one is hard no matter how you slice it. The only thing that makes it easier (besides hiring someone) is knowing you aren’t the only one carrying the world on your shoulders. Connect with others in similar situations in a private Facebook group dedicated to supporting caregivers. The best part? It’s free to join! Just click on the link to the Facebook group provided below, then click the +Join button, and follow the instructions. You must join the groups to see the discussions, posts, and comments.
Caring for elderly parents
All of these groups are pretty self-explanatory, and this one is for people who are caring for their elderly parents. The Caring For Elderly Parents group has been around since 2011. It averages about 75 posts a day and has over 10,000 members.
Dementia caregivers support group
This Facebook group is specifically for caregivers whose loved ones are afflicted with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. The Dementia Caregivers Support Group page states that it is “Designed to stimulate conversation and ensure all members a safe haven in posting personal feelings.” It also mentions that it is not church-related, and you may see colorful language from people who need to vent (because it’s pretty frustrating when your spouse can’t remember your name). This group was created about six years ago, has over 16,000 members, and averages around 25 posts a day.
Working daughter
This community supports and encourages working women who are balancing their careers while caring for an aging parent. Members can ask questions or share advice. The Working Daughter also has a website and a book, ‘Working Daughter: A Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parents While Making A Living‘. Part of their manifesto is “Laughter is the best medicine for the caregiver” and one of their mantras is “do your best and screw the rest”. The Working Daughter group was created in 2015, sees an average of 14 posts a day, and has over 2,500 members.
Caregivers of narcissistic family members
There are some very specific groups! The Caregivers of Narcissistic Family Members group is for the caregivers whose loved ones might not even notice or realize how much they do for them because they’re so concerned with themselves. If you’re caring for a narcissistic family member, commiserate with this group of over 800 members. It’s been around for a few years now and has a handful of posts a day.
Caregiver support group
This group is not just dedicated to elderly caregiving. It is meant to encourage caregivers of family members including spouses, parents, and children. Caregiver Support Group has grown to over 8,000 members in just a couple of years and sees a lot of action at 75 posts a day.
Stomach cancer caregiver support group
Put just about any affliction in the search box, and you can find a support group for that, and one for the caregivers, too! (If not, you can always start your own.) Stomach Cancer Caregiver Support Group has been around for the better part of a decade, but it is so niche that there’s just a little over 1,500 members. The group description says it is a place to “holler, cuss, cry, get advice, give suggestions, and to help us get back up when we don’t feel like we can make it another day.”
Brain aneurysm/AVM Caregiver support group by the Joe Niekro Foundation
This group, sponsored by the Joe Niekro Foundation, is a support network for caregivers of a patient with an aneurysm or an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). The Brain Aneurysm/AVM Caregiver Support Group describes itself as a “safe haven to be among other caregivers or family members in similar situations to express fears, challenges, successes and failures in an atmosphere in which everyone is loved and accepted by all.” Join this group for information and emotional and moral support if you are caring for a loved one with a diagnosed brain aneurysm/AVM or a hemorrhagic stroke patient.
Alzheimers and dementia caregivers support
As you can imagine, this is one of the most popular caregiver groups on Facebook. With nearly 50,000 members, the Alzheimers and Dementia Caregivers Support was created about four years ago, “to be a supportive haven where dementia caregivers can share their struggles without fear of judgment or reprisal.” The group sees about 180 new posts a day, and warns that “posts here that may upset you: it’s honest, it’s raw, it’s brutal, and it’s the truth.”