Online Caregiver Support Group – Information & Guidelines

Support Group Purpose and Goals

• Groups are facilitated by an Alzheimer Society Toronto staff member (Social Worker) and are made up of individual members caring for people in varying stages of dementia coming together to provide each other with mutual support and encouragement
• Members gather in a safe and caring environment and may: share present joys, fears and challenges, including helpful coping strategies; share experiences and feelings; learn about helpful resources and community services; hear about advances in research and advocacy
• Groups can help members to: maintain and increase feelings of self-worth, empowerment, and control; experience emotional relief; feel less alone; develop greater self-awareness and understanding; acquire new and more hopeful perspectives; form new and meaningful relationships; remember that laughter, self-care, and planning for the future are essential to wellbeing

Confidentiality & Respect

• Confidentiality is paramount; personal information is not discussed outside the group and there is no audio/video recording or photographing of the group or group members
• Kindly respect all group members and the facilitator(s); everyone has different values, experiences, and resources; a member may not agree with a choice or view of another member and that’s okay – remember the objective of the group is mutual support and encouragement

Group Members’ Pledge

• We have the right to share as much or as little as we are comfortable
• We agree to confidentiality and respect; we are considerate of each other
• We listen carefully to others while they are speaking without distraction, interruption, judgement or unsolicited advice
• We affirm how we feel; it’s okay to cry, to become angry, or to laugh
• We can reach out to the group facilitator if we feel unsafe or dislike something about this experience
• We share our time together; we give everyone time to talk; we begin and end on time
• We are aware of Alzheimer Society Toronto policies here: https://alz.to/accountability/#tab-9daf451b69bca6410b0

Preparing & Arriving for Group

• Members are asked to join five minutes early to ensure time to settle in and troubleshoot any individual technical issues before the session begins; members may display their first name; members will be admitted from a virtual waiting room once it is time to start the group; groups start promptly and members who arrive late without prior notice may be unable to join
• There is no designated break time; however, breaks can be taken as needed (including an “audio only” break)
• Cameras are encouraged (with a focus on head/shoulders) but it is understood that’s not always possible
• Microphones are to be muted when members are not speaking to help minimize background noise
• It is recommended that members familiarize themselves with Zoom (https://zoom.us/) and choose a space that is close to a wired/wireless internet connection, if possible, to prevent/limit interruption to sound and picture; it might also be helpful to close any other windows/applications running on your computer