We produce and host webinars and symposia on topics of interest to well spouses. Next article: Starting a WSA Support Group, July 2023 - WSA Book Discussion featuring Journalist Ann Brenoff, WSA Mourns the Loss of Board Member Rona Auster - April 2023, June 2023 - DC Premiere of the Film "n of 1", WSA Book Discussion with Journalist Ann Brenoff. (And don't assume you need to belong to a congregation or have sought care at a medical center to join a caregiver group there. The Well Spouse Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, provides peer support and advocates for individuals caring for spouses or partners with life-changing chronic . WSA will be here when the right time does happen. We offer this support through our programs, events, and resources. Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? These might bring together people in specific caregiving situations and relationships, such as military caregivers or adult children caring for elderly parents. Already have a GuideStar Account? Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options? An Interview with WSA's President Elect (July 2021). To register or find out more information about the conference, visit Well Spouse Association at wellspouse.org. Well Spouse | Ideservegooddays "Balancing a full time job, three children and caregiving, I was tired, lonely and afraid. Caregiving for your wife, husband, or partner impacts the decision to have children, the way children are raised, and where and how one lives, works, and retires. Caregiver support groups are underutilized, often because people think they don't have the time or feel self-conscious about speaking about personal subjects with strangers. We do accept those whose partners have passed away. WSA is a 501(c)(3) organization. Here are some places to connect with support groups serving particular caregiving communities or the larger caregiver population. Phone: 617-249-7300, Danbury, CT office WSA works to make health care professionals and the general public aware of the great difficulties caregivers face every day. Sign up for AARP's monthly Money Matters newsletter to help manage your finances with confidence. If you've just found the Well Spouse Association and want to learn if it's a good fit for you,we invite you to try a Support Group Meeting. *Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society. Well Spouse Association - Spousal Caregivers - Facebook If you are having a mental health crisis and are in the US, please call or text 988 to be connected to a professional trained in giving care during a crisis. While on tour, she met several well spouses who were interested inorganizing local chapters of "National Well Spouses". Copyright 2023 NORD National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. All rights reserved. We also encourage you to also take a look at Mental Health America'sLiveYourLifeWellprogramto learn more about the value of connecting with others and other helpful wellness tools. That's normal.. Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Quincy, MA 02169 New Marketing jobs added daily. Click the balloon for the name of the group, and click the word 'details' for complete information on meetings. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try A more appealing option might be caregiver education groups, at which invited speakers address relevant topics, such as stress management or dealing with Medicare. Some are for people caring for loved ones with specific medical conditions; others aim to serve caregivers in general. TARA Association for Personality Disorder: The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center, National Center for Trauma Informed Care (NCTIC), National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder. With much encouragement, she wrote a book, Mainstay: For the Well Spouse of the Chronically Ill, sharing her . Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? We offer peer support and educate health care professionals and the general public about the special challenges and unique issues "well" spouses face every day. Youll be welcomed no matter your situation, and be able to tell your story - maybe for the first time, maybe for the hundredth time. The WSA publishes a quarterly newsletter entitled "Mainstay"; sponsors support groups throughout the country and organize an annual conference and . We've been in their shoes, and we can share, says Dorothy Saunders, the association's former copresident and a caregiver for more than 40 years. There are also groups based on demographic affinity for example, for LGBTQ caregivers, Spanish speakers ormillennials. Of the thousands of caregiver support groups run by churches, senior centers, hospitals and disease-specific organizations, too few fully achieve their potential. 1900 Crown Colony Drive I'm always at his beck and call. 3,000+ Research jobs in Valencian Community, Spain (46 new) - LinkedIn Find out what the format is. How to Find the Right Caregiver Support Group for You - AARP We shifted to a Zoom model for our events during the pandemic which has been well-received, with one exception - surveys showed that people wanted our larger events on Zoom to have more member interaction. we invite you to try a Support Group Meeting. All rights reserved. In addition to the resources listed above, the resources below are divided into three main sections -Specialized support group resources, Other helpful resources, and National Toll-Free 24 hour hotlines. All Rights Reserved. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. News for Caregivers Health. Dorothy Saunders has been a caregiver for 40 years for her husband, who became a quadriplegic while in law school. The Well SpouseAssociation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988 by author and spousal caregiver, Zane Kotker (writing under the pseudonym Maggie Strong), whosehusband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. If you've just found the Well Spouse Association and want to learn if it's a good fit for you, we invite you to try a Support Group Meeting. 1994. Peer support is our model, after all. The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick. The Well Spouse Association is funded by membership fees, donations, foundation and corporate grants, bequests, endowments and commemorative gifts. Maggie begana book tour and appeared on national TV programs, bringingattention to the plight of the spousal caregiver. Pong joined Facebook groups that were focused on cancer and esophageal cancer (the type of cancer her dad had). We are an inclusive and welcoming community - no matter your age, partnership arrangement, sexuality, orientation, gender, or religious beliefs. Other helpful resources include: . The Well SpouseAssociation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, advocates for and addresses the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouseor partner. AARP columnist, psychologist and caregiving expert Barry J. Jacobs offers insights on why some caregivers shy away from support groups. They also invite members to start their own local support groups with a step by step guide. WSA coordinates a network of peer support groups throughout the US and Canada attended by members who are all spousal caregivers or well spouses. The Well Spouse Association is a national, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that offers support to spouses or partners of people with chronic illness and/or disability. So, take some time and do some research to find the right one for you and your current situation. Join a local support group, or join one of our nationwide support groups, which are listed below. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. "How can I get to a support group when I'm so busy taking care of my loved one?" Well Spouse Association. Well Spouse Association provides support and resources to people of all ages who care for partners with chronic illness or disability. SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 10/27/2022, Rosalynn Carter Caregiving Award/Natl Quality Caregiving Coalition. Contact, The Well Spouse Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, advocates for and addresses the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse/partner. The financial impacts of caregiving are different for well spouses from other types of caregivers too - often the partner with illness and the caregiver must give up paid employment. Know that most groups are free to join. Support groups are offered as a space where individuals can come together to share their stories, experiences, and lives in a way that helps reduce isolation and loneliness. Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. Its focus is on the 6 million Americans caring for a spouse or partner, which brings . in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section. To achieve this mission the Well Spouse Association: coordinates a national network of Support Groups facilitates a Mentor program publishes a newsletter (Mainstay) hosts a website (www.wellspouse.org) with resources for coping and survival skills, which includes an on-line chat forum for spousal caregivers organizes regional respite weekends and a national conference for caregivers provides continuing support for members whose spouses have died advocates on behalf of spousal caregivers seeks out new initiatives to help caregiver spouses and their families cope with the emotional and financial stresses associated with chronic illness and/or disability. Support groups give caregivers ideas for sustaining themselves in order to continue coping well. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. Instead of loving and caring, you feel exhausted and resentful. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails 26 Great Caregiver Blogs + Forums to Read Today | Cake Blog We offer peer to peer support and educate health care professionals and the general public about the special challenges and unique issues "well" spouses . Almost 6 million people in the US care for an ill or disabled partner. The Well Spouse Association: Who Cares for the Caregivers? Well Spouse Association has support groups as well as educational materials and online articles for those who care for a husband, wife, or partner. You'll want one that follows Las Vegas-style rules: What's said in the group stays in the group. Caregiving.com: An online community of supportive individuals who provide care for a family member or friend. National Toll-Free 24 Hour Hotlines: Child-Help USA at 1-800-422 . That doesn't mean it will remain true as caregiving goes on for months and years. Condition-specific groups. Please note that NORD provides this information for the benefit of the rare disease community. The Well Spouse Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, advocates for and addresses the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse or partner. There are few areas of life that are left untouched by the caregiver/patient role in partnered relationships. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. She has published articles, and has been interviewed for magazine articles and on radio . The Spousal Caregiver: How Illness Challenges a Marriage Has chapters in many states and some other countries as well as support resources for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. Our Organization - Well Spouse Association All rights reserved. If you decide to continue attending, then join the Well Spouse Association as a Supporting Member. By continuing to use this website, you agree to the Terms of Service & Privacy Policy, A Podcast For The Rare Disease Community, Rare Disease Cures Accelerator (RDCA-DAP), Policy Statements & Letters to Policymakers, Stay Informed With NORDs Email Newsletter, Launching Registries & Natural History Studies. There's no requirement for group members to pour out their hearts. And help from caregiving communities is widelyavailable online. Patients must rely on the personal and individualized medical advice of their qualified health care professionals before seeking any information related to their particular diagnosis, cure or treatment of a condition or disorder. You may be able to find a support group through a local church or hospital, or at the website of the Well Spouse Association, which coordinates a national network of groups for spousal caregivers. You realize youre all alone and doing it all because youve shut out everyone could help. Caregiver Burnout: What It Is, Signs You're Experiencing It, and How to In addition, the Well Spouse Association offers support to the wives, husbands, and partners of chronically ill or disabled people and has a nationwide listing of local support groups. Mainstay is written by and for our members and is dedicated to the issues faced by well spouses. We all need hope because HOPE IS something that inspires us to dream above the hardships that weve experienced in order to find our purpose. How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout and Manage Stress - AARP Today's top 33 Nurse jobs in Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain. Well Spouse holds second annual conference for caregivers Saturday To find a WSA Support Group click the red banner below; enter your zip code or select "Geolocate me". 1988 - 2023 WSA produces an annual National Conference and several regional respite weekends each year.WSA maintains an active social media presence for 24x7 support and for people who cannot attend our events. 55 Kenosia Avenue Well Spouse Association, Freehold, NJ - NY Connects Well Spouse Association is a peer support organization, and nothing shared via Well Spouse programs or social media is intended to replace medical, financial, or legal advice provided by experts or professionals. Get out of your comfort zone. She has written many articles and spoken on . Terri is on the Board of Directors of the Well Spouse Association (www.wellspouse.org), which offers support and resources for spousal caregivers. Please check your inbox in order to proceed. Many organizations try to address this objection by providing simultaneous caregiver and care-recipient groups or activities in different rooms. Caregiver Resource Guide | American Cancer Society You feel youre the only person in the world enduring this. The Well Spouse Association is focused on caregivers caring for a spouse, offering education and resources. Ourmembers can share their thoughts and feelings openly with others facing similar circumstances in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. related to AARP volunteering. Caregiving.com Well Spouse volunteers currently facilitate more than 20 WSA Support Group meetings every month across the US (m ost meetings are currently via Zoom).. Join a. Well Spouse allows you to find a local support group according to zip code or the state you live in. Well Spouse Association Support for spousal caregivers. Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. The WSA has support groups in local areas, and also offers a quarterly newsletter, Mainstay, as well as mentoring, respite weekends and an annual national conference. Your relationships with family and friends are breaking down because of caregiving pressures. How to Support Someone with MS - Verywell Health The Well Spouse Association supports partners of chronically iII or disabled patients. Well Spouse Association, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) membership organization, provides peer support and advocates for people caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse or partner. Caregivers often can't speak openly with family members about their emotional reactions, and a support group provides a relative degree of anonymity.". Your caregiving duties or emotions are interfering with your work and social life. Who are the people you serve with your mission? The nonprofit coordinates a national network of support groups and does everything from facilitating a mentor program to publishing a newsletter to keep people informed .