For several years, Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living has hosted a caregiver support group on the second Tuesday of each month. At its core, the group provides a safe, confidential space where caregivers can gather to share their experiences. The Sopris Lodge support group was developed in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, and this facilitated group is designed for families – adult children, spouses, or friends – of those living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
Sopris Lodge’s Executive Director, Marie Herr, facilitates this monthly support group to help individuals deal with “caregiver burnout,” a very real physical and emotional state. The support group acts as a pressure valve, allowing caregivers to share their fears, challenges and successes in the caregiving role, and to recharge their energy for this important role of looking after someone else. In some cases, participants attend silently, just soaking in the wisdom and experiences of others.
What Happens in the Sopris Lodge Caregiver Support Group?
Walking into a support group for the first time can feel a bit daunting but knowing what to expect can take the anxiety out of the experience. While every group has its own personality, Sopris Lodge focuses on providing a welcoming structure for participants.
- Sharing and Venting: Participants can talk about their frustrations, fears and triumphs without judgment. It’s a place where it’s completely okay to admit that caregiving is hard.
- Resource and Tip Swapping: Group participants share practical advice, from recommending the best local home-health agencies or senior living communities to tips on how to handle difficult behaviors or navigate insurance matters.
- Emotional Validation: Caring for someone can be incredibly isolating. Hearing others say, “I feel the same way,” can ease the loneliness and guilt that often accompany caregiving.
- Education: Some groups invite guest speakers—like social workers, elder law attorneys, or doctors—to provide expert guidance on specific caregiving topics. At Sopris Lodge, we tend to invite participants to attend some of our other educational events on specific dementia-related topics.
The Sopris Lodge caregiver support group is free and open to the public, but participants must RSVP. The sessions are structured, with the facilitator supporting the discussion as needed.
The Sopris Lodge Support Group Structure
Meetings begin with a brief introduction. The facilitator welcomes everyone and goes over a few basic ground rules designed to create a respectful, supportive environment. These usually include:
- Strict confidentiality: What is said in the room stays in the room.
- Non-judgment: Everyone’s caregiving journey and decisions are respected.
- No advice-giving unless asked: People are here to support, not fix.
Then the facilitator checks in with participants, inviting them to introduce themselves and give a brief update on their current situation. It’s worth noting that you don’t have to speak if you aren’t ready – many people spend their first few meetings simply listening and realizing they aren’t alone. If it’s your first time, it is entirely acceptable to say, “I’m just here to listen today.” No one will pressure you to share until you are ready.
The conversation in a support group isn’t always heavy. You can expect a range of topics, including:
- The hard stuff: Venting about healthcare systems, family conflict, or the grief of watching a loved one decline.
- The practical stuff: Trading tips on medication management, finding reliable respite care, or dealing with difficult behaviors.
- The light stuff: Dark humor is common among caregivers. You will likely hear people laughing together over the absurdities of their daily lives.
It’s also helpful to understand what a support group is not. It isn’t formal therapy, a lecture or a place for judgment. Instead, it’s a space for mutual support, shared experiences and practical encouragement.
Meetings usually last about 60 minutes. Afterward, people often linger for a few minutes to swap phone numbers, share a specific resource link, or just chat casually. You will likely leave feeling physically tired from the emotional release but lighter knowing you aren’t carrying the weight entirely on your own.
Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living offers independent living, assisted living and memory care for older adults throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. In addition to residential services, the community hosts educational programs and caregiver support opportunities and other resources for local families. To learn more about the Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiver support group, please visit our event page for details or to RSVP.
