Caregiver Grief and Support
By Cierra McNamara
For all the ways we love, there is a grief to match. Love that is public or private, love that is straightforward or complicated, can manifest with unique grief characteristics. One important grief relationship occurs with a caregiver’s love and anticipatory grief.
Everyone is familiar with grief that follows the death of a loved one, but there is far less understanding of grief that happens while a loved one is still alive. Diseases such as dementia or Parkinson’s often bring years of physical and mental decline, which for caregivers can result in witnessing month after month of small losses (loss of mobility, personality, etc.) while at the same time preparing for the largest loss (death). This is anticipatory grief.
For family caregivers, the burden of tending to loved ones’ needs is immense – it is the physical, emotional, psychological Olympics, with almost no one in the stands to give support. Which is why it’s time you had the coach, training partners, and fan club you deserve.
In 2025 HeartLight will be offering in-person and online grief support focusing on the unique needs of caregivers who live and work alongside anticipatory grief. These groups will be a time to release the pressure valve of caregiving, to reduce isolation by creating friendships with people facing your same concerns, and to learn coping skills for making your days as manageable and meaningful as possible.
If you’re a caregiver and have been struggling with uncertainty or overwhelm, you’re not alone. If you were a caregiver in the past and have known the confusion and exhaustion of anticipatory grief, you are also welcome. As with all HeartLight programs, we invite you to join us exactly as you are: imperfect, frazzled, tired, distracted. Let your support system know you’ll be taking some time for self care this year, to best honor yourself and your loved one.
Below you’ll find information for our monthly online meetings, and quarterly in-person potlucks, both beginning in January. Care for the caregiver is coming soon. We look forward to seeing you!
~~~
Virtual Caregiver Support Group – January 2: register here!
If you are a caregiver, or have lost someone you cared for (including but not limited to Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, or other degenerative illnesses), you are invited to attend our monthly, ongoing peer support and education group for caregivers. Our time will be spent sharing about experiences, ideas and support for current and past caregivers. Meets monthly on the first Thursday online at 4pm (PT)/ 5pm (MST)/ 6pm (CT)/ 7pm (EST) starting January 2025.
Caregiver Dinner – January 14: register here!
If you are a caregiver, or have lost someone you cared for, you are invited to attend our Caregiver Dinner. We will serve comforting food, experiences, ideas and support for current and past caregivers. If you are able, you are invited to bring a dish to share, but it is not required.
Tuesday, January 14th at 6-8:00pm at HeartLight Center (11150 E Dartmouth Ave, Denver, CO 80014)