Support groups help you find ways to be better prepared for caregiving through the exchange of ideas and caregiving tips. Meetings are held at various times of the day and evening, sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly, depending on the wishes of the participants in the group.

Groups are held in various locations throughout Polk County such as churches, senior centers, assisted living facilities and community rooms. Support groups can be topic-specific or general in nature.

Most caregivers find support groups very useful, but not all groups are created equal. Support groups are shaped by the members who happen to be taking part and by the knowledge, experience and expertise of the facilitator who leads the group. There are no particular requirements to be the leader of a support group. Oftentimes the leader is a former family caregiver who has developed significant personal knowledge. Sometimes the leader is a social worker employed by the assisted living or community organization to get you to use their services. Sometimes the leader is a counselor, mental health professional or clergyperson.

The following information explains some of the types of groups available and can help in choosing the right one for you.

• Educational groups invite speakers to come and talk about various topics during the scheduled meetings. The goal is to provide information about specific caregiving needs or particular topics.
• Therapeutic groups provide a confidential setting where you can speak freely about what you're feeling about your ordeal, without being judged. These groups are focused more on emotional support through the sharing of experiences.
• Self-help groups are led by a group member. Social workers or other mental health professionals are consulted as needed, outside the group. Counseling groups are facilitated by a mental health professional, such as a social worker. Counseling groups are typically therapeutic in nature, but may also include an educational component.
• Population-specific groups are designed for specific groups such as family members, spouses, and care receivers in early stages of their illness.
• Language-specific groups are becoming increasingly available for those whose first language is not English.

Telephone support groups are held over the phone for caregivers who are unable to leave their home or who prefer this type of support. These groups are typically 50 minutes and are generally free of charge to caregivers. Groups are topic-specific.

Support Groups for Family Caregivers in Polk County are listed below.
Click here to download support group listings in a brochure format.

Davenport

Haines City

Highlands City

Lake Wales

Lakeland

Winter Haven