TOLEDO – The Alzheimer's Association Northwest Ohio Chapter announced a newly formed Knox County caregiver support group that will meet in person on the second Tuesday of every month, beginning on Aug. 9 in Mount Vernon.
“Support groups are an invaluable network of other caregivers and provide a safe place for caregivers to talk about the challenges and toll of caregiving,” said Pam Myers, program director for the Alzheimer's Association Northwest Ohio Chapter. “This group offers support for local family members and loved ones of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia.”
Danbury Senior Living is at 1605 Venture Drive in Mount Vernon. To register or for more information about support groups, call the Alzheimer's Association's at 800-272-3900, or visit alz.org/help-support/community/support-groups.
Caregiver support groups provide a consistent, caring place for discussion of the challenges of caregiving – both practical and emotional. Group members share experiences, tips and information, and offer support in a setting facilitated by trained volunteers.
“We are grateful to Danbury Senior Living for hosting this support group, as the in-person setting proves much-needed respite for caregivers who may find it difficult to attend online or telephone support groups while at home with their loved ones,” Myers said. “These groups offer a wealth of support and resources for caregivers, who sometimes don't have an outlet for the stress that can accompany the often-lonely task of caregiving.”
In 2021, there were 421,000 caregivers caring for 220,000 individuals living with Alzheimer's disease. They provided 614 million hours of unpaid care. The number of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease is expected to increase to 250,000 by 2025, according to the Alzheimer's Association's “2022 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.”
Visit alz.org/nwohio to learn more about caregiver programs and resources. To further extend your network of support, visit the online community ALZ Connected at alzconnected.org.
Those who are concerned about themselves or a loved one can contact the Alzheimer's Association Northwest Ohio Chapter at 419-537-1999 to schedule a care consultation and be connected with local resources that can help.
