Dementia support group launches this week

An online support group for caregivers of family members with dementia launches this week. The program, hosted by UOG's Isa Psychological Services Center, provides the services through its Telehealth Geriatric Support Services in collaboration with the School of Health's Guam/Micronesia Workforce Enhancement Program.

Isa Psychological Services Center counselor Annie Fay Camacho said, "What we are doing with the support group is providing people with the space to tell us their stories and further down the line we are going to bring in people to do presentations, healthcare professionals, to tell them a little more about dementia, what is going on with their loved ones, and maybe some skills training that they will find helpful."

Rhoda Orallo with Health Services of the Pacific says COVID-times make the services more critical than ever, noting, "Having a support group that would allow anybody who is caring for anybody with dementia to express their feelings and a lot of times too they do not understand that anger and frustration is part of being a caregiver. And so this is an avenue for them, without judgment, to be able to just do that - release those stressers."

The program is free and open to partners, family members, and caregivers.

Sessions start on Wednesday and organizers emphasize that it is client-centered and confidential.