That's the one thing I like about the monthly support group. We once had California Pizza's lunch - and it wasn't just pizza. They try different restaurants and I'm always guessing on which restaurant is next.
The next meeting was suppose to be next weekend. But, I just received an email. They moved the meeting to the 26th, at the other end of the island - for.... batik painting demonstration, and then we have the option to paint on 1 silk scarf or a suncatcher. I won't be able to attend. I'm off the 3rd Saturday of this month, but the 26th is the 4th Saturday.
The last meeting I went to, we made jewelry beading. I now know how to make a bracelet. At the same time, it was held at a shop that also provides massages. So some of the group had a 10-minute massage. I got the young lady's business card. She said that she can massage even the most ticklish person.
Oh! I forgot to mention one of the best parts - they provide us with very light breakfast (donuts, sandwich, fresh fruits, etc...) After the meeting ends at 12:00 noon, they serve us real lunches - KFC, or Jamaican Grill or some other places. It ain't cheap - like finger food.
I work every other Saturdays. Our monthly caregiver's respite group meeting is every 3rd Saturday of the month. Most times, it falls on the day I work. In the room, the tables are formed into a circle or square. This way, we all can see each other. If it's a serious discussion of us sharing a little about ourselves, we introduce ourselves and then talk. One time I attended, we watched a funny DVD (to help lessen our stressful life). Other times, we had a guest speaker come in and discuss different topics. One meeting, we had a guest speaker talking about how to care for our care recipient. Another meeting, a therapist came in and helped us learn some coping strategies (breathing, meditation, etc...) The last meeting I attended, we did jewelry making. I missed the painting therapy. It's a really good program for us caregivers. And it's not just restricted to us. They have also invited grandparents who are taking care of their grandkids (parents went awol.)
I still go to my once-a-month support group meeting for caregivers of people with Lewy Body Dementia. (And my husband died of LBD a year and a half ago.) Before this group was formed I tried attending a support group for Alzheimer's caregivers, but that was just too confusing.
I wish I could find a local aging care support group.... you'd think in my huge metro area there would be one close by, but the couple I did find are too far away for me to attend. Then I had an aha moment, caregivers either don't have time to go to a support group, or they are too tired to attend..... [sigh]
Frontotemporal Dementia, is a different kind of dementia that starts out in a different part of the brain from Alzheimers. I think AD starts more in the area of the hippocampus part and FTD in the front and sides of the brain. Memory loss isn't a big deal in the beginning, but there are big problems with behavior, judgment, sequencing of activities, executive function. There are several variants, and with the behavioral type your loved one becomes an apathetic jerk incapable of empathy for others. They may be hypersexual, steal things, hoard, overeat, and financially screw everything up. Most people think it's worse than AD, and it most often emerges younger than 65. There is a group AFTD, Assoc for FTD and a caregiver support forum elsewhere for those caregivers. A lot of techniques for handling dementia patients work for everybody. I think what drives most FTD caregivers crazy is the outbursts of rage and stupid things they do along with a loss of the ability to even care if someone is hurt by it. Since it often affects people in younger years many have minor children still in the home seeing this. A percentage of FTDers may develop MND motor neuron disease, aka ALS, aka Lou Gehrigs (sp?) disease. It's a bi**h.
I go to a caregivers support group whenever I can. It meets weekly for caregivers of those who have "memory" problems, read Alzheimers. A few of us with FTD relatives attend. There's a lot of overlap but AD people don't understand what FTD people go through. But it is always good and helpful. It's organized and run by an experienced professional leader. A coffee club group might be fine, but I would think a professionally run support group would be better. A lot of information is exchanged and a lot of genuine support given and received.
I'm starting at the end of the month. Here they call it AA. Azheimer's Anonymous. Of course that means finding a sitter.... they do not allow the elder to attend.
The next meeting was suppose to be next weekend. But, I just received an email. They moved the meeting to the 26th, at the other end of the island - for.... batik painting demonstration, and then we have the option to paint on 1 silk scarf or a suncatcher. I won't be able to attend. I'm off the 3rd Saturday of this month, but the 26th is the 4th Saturday.
The last meeting I went to, we made jewelry beading. I now know how to make a bracelet. At the same time, it was held at a shop that also provides massages. So some of the group had a 10-minute massage. I got the young lady's business card. She said that she can massage even the most ticklish person.