It’s hard when someone you love is battling cancer. And it’s hard to be a caregiver. But you don’t have to go it alone. The counselors and members of the Waterford Place Family and Caregiver Networking Group are there to help you.
The networking group aims to provide support to those who have a loved one who has or has had cancer. It meets monthly at Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month.
“Our hope is to provide support and validation to members,” says clinical social worker Kara Olimene, LCSW, with Olimene Counseling Services, Inc. “It’s also a great way to meet other caregivers and develop relationships.”
The support group is led by a therapist from Olimene Counseling, who guides the discussion and encourages all members to engage.
The benefit of the group is that it allows members to feel seen and heard, Olimene says. “They can ask questions to other members and support others,” she says, “and hopefully feel less alone in the cancer world.”
One caregiver says the support group has given him perspective as well as support.
“I’ve met some fantastic people,” he says, “and they’re all dealing with the same thing. It helps to hear their stories. It helps to see you’re not alone.”
