Caregivers Support Group

Caregiving can be overwhelming but a St. Paul group is helping to support each other through those challenges. Meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, the group creates a safe space to share ideas, gather resources, and support one another.

Whether caring for someone with dementia, recovering from surgery, or managing chronic illness, caregiver responsibilities share fundamental characteristics. The time, money, and emotional energy required are universal. Now, the group is expanding to welcome any type of caregiver.

St. Paul counselor Steve Kalber and assistant preschool director Kathy Becker facilitate the group.

“We have a lot of different people—it’s their spouse who has the medical condition, a parent, someone could even come if they’re helping to care for a friend and the burdens that come with that,” Kathy said. “This group helps me to know that someone else is sitting there thinking ‘I get that. I’ve had the same thing happen.’”

The emotional relief of shared understanding is powerful.

“There can be guilt, so this group helps others to know they’re not alone in that feeling,” Kathy said. “There is no judgement.”

“We understand irrespective of the condition or the disease, caregiving shares some very important characteristics,” Steve added. “Just because they’re not giving care to a person with dementia doesn’t mean this opportunity isn’t every bit as useful.”

Group meetings happen on the second Tuesday of the month, while the fourth Tuesday brings guest speakers offering education and information—everything from medical advancements to aging resources.

What makes the group work is its authenticity. The group supports itself through empathy and shared problem-solving. People exchange strategies and resources they’ve found helpful.

“An hour to be with other people who are walking that same journey can be huge,” Kathy said. “I hope this brings in more people who are in a caregiving role and feeling alone. This group is really important and it helps.”

As the group has met and changed over the years, a common thread continued to appear—the ability to attend meetings was often influenced by whether someone was available to stay with their loved ones. The question arose: why not provide an activity for those receiving care? Steve and Kathy brought the idea to Pastor Sara, and the group began to evolve.

A partnership with the Spontaneous Serving group marks a milestone: the creation of concurrent activities for caregivers’ loved ones during meetings. The benefits are numerous—from reducing wandering behaviors to renewing old friendships through social experience. The main objective is keeping people in an environment that helps them stay calm and engaged. Spontaneous Serving volunteers will provide one-to-one care during gatherings, with as many volunteers as loved ones.

Caregivers give so much—this group gives something back: understanding, emotional support, and the knowledge that nobody walks this journey alone.