Family Caregiver Support Groups Help!

I attended family caregiver (of aging adults) support meetings at two separate locations yesterday.

Staff of the Salvation Army facilitated both groups. Chuck Sturbis led the first meeting, where I was the sole caregiver in attendance and Niyi Braimah M.S. M.A., led the second meeting of 9 attendees.

Both gentleman advised us of the myriad services offered by Chicago’s Department on Aging—services for both seniors and their caregivers. Some include case management, home delivered meals, legal counsel, respite, training/education, and counseling. The phone number is 312-744-4016.

I was impressed by the wide variety of senior activities offered at the centers including: computer training, exercise classes, health screenings, free meals, transportation, line dancing, pool and chess tournaments, personal trainer sessions, defensive driving classes, tax preparation, Spanish lessons, bible study, trips and tours, holiday parties, choir practice, music and dance therapy.

Sharing personal accounts of our specific family care giving issues in the group was extremely cathartic. I plan to attend more of these sessions when I come back to town!