Life Is Always Changing: Caregiver Support Group

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at a Caregiver Support Meeting hosted by Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center. The group meets monthly to share their triumphs and struggles as they navigate caregiving for their loved ones. Change became a theme of the meeting. One group member shared that her father’s declining health was evident to some family members but caught her mother by surprise. Another member shared how she has learned to roll with the daily changes in her routine of full-time caregiving to her mother. Yet another member noted her struggle in transitioning from daughter to caregiver. Every time a member talked about their experience with change, the group members nodded their heads in understanding.

Their stories got me thinking about all the significant changes we might encounter and experience in our lives. Maybe one day, we might take on the role of a caregiver when our aging parent moves in with us. Or perhaps change finds us through the loss of a relationship. It comes in the form of marriage, divorce, promotions, and firings. Whatever the change may be, one thing is sure; life is always changing.

Sometimes life transitions are exciting, and other times, stressful. No matter our feelings about change, it’s clear that it demands a lot of us, and how we navigate change matters. Aiming to function at our previous level when experiencing major changes might not be the best strategy. Instead, consider taking some time to slow down and process your new reality. It’s okay if not everything gets done; sometimes, our “good enough” really is good enough. One caregiver put it into perspective when she shared, “Today was a good day; today I got to shower!”

Ever wonder why you feel so exhausted after starting a new job or stressed out when you move? Rather than feeling like you just can’t cope, keep in mind that significant life changes take a lot of emotional energy. A drain on our emotional self has an impact on our physical and mental states. Give yourself some grace and be realistic about your energy levels. This can protect you against beating yourself up for being “off”. Remember, significant changes can feel heavy even if we want the change! If you’re experiencing that “off” feeling during a life change, keep in mind, it’s okay to slow down.

Next time you face a life transition, try taking some time to rest and permit yourself to acknowledge the impact of your new circumstances. Talk out your feelings with a trusted friend, reflect in your journal, join a support group, or book a session with your therapist. When significant life changes happen, there is often an increased sense of busyness and added responsibility that results in less downtime. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to be intentional about making some time for your mental wellbeing. The support group members know that first hand! There was a noticeable difference at the end of our meeting. All the caregivers seemed a little lighter, more recharged, ready to tackle it all again tomorrow.

Are you going through a life transition and want some space to process? Having a regularly scheduled therapy session can be great to help you pull away from your busy life and give yourself the time you need. I would love to help you create that space to explore your feeling as you process life changes. Send me a message on my connect page to get started today!

For more information on the Vanderbilt support group, check out Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center or message me on my connect page.