Alzheimer’s Association and Hospice Brazos Valley Offer Support Groups in La Grange

In La Grange at the Hospice Brazos Valley, caregivers and loved ones have been meeting for 15 years to support each other as their loved ones face dementia and other conditions. On the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., Cindy Fanning leads a support group for caregivers and loved ones of those with dementia. On the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m., she leads a group for caregivers and loved ones of those with chronic or terminal illness facing anticipatory grief -- feelings of grief or loss that are felt before the loss actually happens. Fanning says there is a lot of overlap between the two groups, that caregivers of people with dementia attend both groups.

The group is well-attended for the area. People come from the surrounding towns and have come from as far as 50 miles away for the fellowship and support. Fayette County has an Alzheimer’s Disease prevalence rate of 11.6% of those age 65 and older, which is just shy of the Texas average of 11.9%.

“It’s just very important for people to know there are other people like them, that there are other people who are taking care of someone,” says Fanning. “With the dementia group especially, that they can see the different phases that they are going through, if they are going through different degrees of it – like one of them got aggressive, but now he’s bed-bound. Just to know that someone else is going through the same thing.” Alzheimer’s Association support groups are a safe place for caregivers to:

• Develop a support system.

• Exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions.

• Talk through issues and ways of coping.

• Share feelings, needs and concerns.

For those who have Alzheimer’s or another dementia diagnosis or have a family member living with the disease, life can sometimes feel overwhelming and isolating. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can present exhausting challenges that can take a significant toll on caregivers’ physical and mental health. The Alzheimer’s Association 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report noted that caregivers can experience increased emotional stress and depression; new or exacerbated health problems; and depleted income and finances as the person with dementia’s symptoms worsen.

Support groups can give caregivers the assistance and reassurance they might need to manage stress and take time for their own much-needed care. Support groups provide a consistent and caring place for people to learn, share and gain emotional support from others who are also on the unique journey of caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Finding a support group to share stories with, seek advice from or simply have other caregivers available to listen on a regular basis can help lower stress and alleviate the health risks that dementia caregivers may face. Greater satisfaction from dementia caregiving was associated with more emotional support from family members and friends.

“There are 400,000 Texans living with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Faith Lane, program director of the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter. “We have more than a million caregivers in Texas who provided more than 1.7 billion hours of unpaid care last year.” Lane continued, “More than 10% of caregivers have depression, and more than 56% have chronic health conditions. Support groups are so important to make sure caregivers know they are not alone in this journey.”

The dementia caregivers group meets each second Tuesday at 10 a.m., and the caregiver support group meets the third Wednesday at 10 a.m. The groups meet at Hospice Brazos Valley at 1048 N. Jefferson St., La Grange, TX 78945. Questions can be addressed to Cindy Fanning by phone at (979) 431-1556.

If you or someone you know is dealing with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association’s free Helpline is available 24/7 at (800) 2723900 for support and resources in more than 200 languages. For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter, visit alz.org/texascapital. For caregiving resources, visit alz. org/help-support/caregiving.