“Support groups are like lifelines — we’re around other people who are going through the same thing we are, and we know we’re not alone.” Kim Franklin

Do you wonder if support groups are right for you? Do you know how to find one that fits your needs? Are you feeling overwhelmed and isolated in your caregiving role?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned that support groups can be transformative resources on this journey. In this post, we’re sharing insights from Kim Franklin, Senior Program Manager with the Alzheimer’s Association, about how to find the right support group for you.

Support groups offer more than just information — they provide therapeutic spaces where caregivers can come together, share their frustrations, breathe, and hear from others in similar situations. Yet many caregivers resist joining groups, thinking they don’t have time, don’t need help, or feel caregiving is a private family matter that should be handled alone.

If you’re following along with the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap, this post supports Step Four, Find a support group. Let’s explore four essential tips for finding the right support group for your caregiving journey.

Connect with us and share your tips:

• Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/
• Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
• Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.org, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.org

Full Show Notes

"One of the hardest parts in spousal caregiving is accepting that we're no longer just partners. We're now caregiver and care receiver. The loss of our emotional and physical partner and the emotional responsibilities we're taking on can really take an enormous toll."

Are you struggling to find balance between being a spouse and being a caregiver? Do you find yourself wondering when the shift happened—when your partner became your patient? Have you noticed yourself "forgetting to be a spouse" because you're so focused on getting the caregiving right?

We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've experienced firsthand the complex role transition that happens when your spouse becomes your care receiver. This journey isn't a sudden switch that flips on diagnosis day—it's a slow, gradual transition that unfolds over years.

There's a moment when you realize your relationship has fundamentally changed. Your spouse, your partner, your companion—they're still there. But the person you used to bounce ideas off of can't be that person for you anymore. This transition brings unique challenges, from managing new responsibilities to redefining intimacy to letting go of promises made years ago.

Let's explore four essential tips for navigating the changing role from spouse to caregiver while preserving your relationship and your own wellbeing.

Connect with us and share your tips:

Website: https://thecaregiversjourney.org/

Donate: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaregiversjourneys/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/

Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.org, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.org

Full Show Notes

https://thecaregiversjourney.org/56-when-your-spouse-becomes-your-patient-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/

Additional Resources Mentioned

Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney

Takeaways

We shared 4 tips:

1. Find the balance in your changing role

2. Give yourself permission to get help

3. Keep connection while intimacy is redefined

4. Give yourself permission to let go of promises you made years ago.

Read More in This Blog

https://sueryansolutions.medium.com/the-changing-role-navigating-the-transition-from-spouse-to-caregiver-90acd5fde819?postPublishedType=repub