Support groups

Social support is a potentially powerful mediator of well-being for family carers. Given that social engagement often decreases with age, the Internet broadens the opportunities for aging carers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to provide support to one another. This article reviews what constitutes social support, its importance to older adults, and more specifically carers of those with I/DD. Computer and Internet usage by older adults is briefly reviewed.

This booklet for carers gives information about dementia, caring for someone with dementia and the help available to carers. Original edition researched and written by Maggie Jee and Liz Reason.  This edition has been developed with the valuable assistance of Help the Aged, Age Concern (England), the Alzheimer's Society, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Dementia Voice and the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. Please note that there may be changes in the benefits system and in social services after publication of this booklet, so you are advised to check benefits and services issues w

A creative initiative to address the isolation felt by many carers in South Wales is described. The initiative involved keeping a personal journal of original art work, poetry and thoughts.

Part 2 of a video by Viviana Fain-Binda for carers of people with dementia. In the video carers of people with dementia talk about the importance of finding out about and accessing services available. It also stresses the benefits of joining local support groups to find out information and provide support.

Richard Ward, Andrew Clark and Matthew Hargreaves outline the findings of a study that looked at how carers of people with dementia relate to their neighbourhood, and the implications that has for improving local support

Because of the complex nature of the problems that carers of persons with dementia encounter, several comprehensive support programs for carers were developed in the past decade. One such program is the Meeting Centres Support Program (MCSP) that integrates different types of support for persons with dementia and their carers, which have proved to be effective in practice and/or research.

This article canvases the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and proposes a holistic support regime for patients, carers and families.  The development of services for Alzheimer's patients and their families in the Nelson Mandela Metropole since 1991 is outlined.  Based on the expressed needs of families of AD sufferers specific support systems were identified, fund raising undertaken and projects initiated to offer respite to those in need of assistance.  The article offers insights into the nature and treatment of AD and how, based on a query from a single family, a syst

Recent literature emphasizes the burdens of caregiving, but there has been limited focus on benefits accrued by family members who care for older adults. This article describes phase three of a research study of employed caregivers in the workplace. Phase three of the study was a caregiver support group. Data from the support group meetings were content analyzed and interpreted using a lifespan perspective.