Support or "self-help" groups are formed by people who share
common concerns. The groups may be participant-initiated or
sponsored by a health care institution, social services agency
or nonprofit A degenerative or terminal illness, or an accident
involving a family member, is a traumatic experience for spouse,
parents, children and other relatives. Support groups allow
those facing the difficult task of daily caregiving to benefit
from interaction and support from other people in similar
situations. A support group may work towards mutual problem-
solving, coping, dealing with grief and sharing information.
Some communities have a network of established support groups;
others may have few or none. The following guidelines will
assist family members or caregivers interested in forming a
support group. Establishing a Family Support Group - Determine
the focus of your group (e.g., family members of persons with
Alzheimer’s, stroke survivors, children caring for aging
parents…). - Establish a contact person whose