The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is offering a new support group specifically for caregivers aged 18-40 with the help of local volunteer Libby Pederson, who is a caregiver to her father who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s at just 60 years old.
The support group meets virtually via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month.
Support groups provide emotional support and a safe space for caregivers to express their feelings, share experiences and receive empathy from others who understand their situation. Ms. Pederson approached the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter about starting a support group specifically for young adults after not being able to find one that fit her situation.
“I wanted to begin the Young Caregiver Support Group as a way for young adults caring for their parents to connect on a personal, relatable level,” Ms. Pederson said in a news release. “The current support groups that the Alzheimer’s Association host are fantastic, but many of the attendees are navigating the loss of or caring for their spouse, which is a very different relationship and experience than a child having to care for their parent.”
Ms. Pederson has been a volunteer community educator and spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter for the past year, and she will be leading this new support group as the support group facilitator.
To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and its free resources for caregivers, visit alz.org/iowa, and visit this link to register for the young adult caregiver support group. The next support group will meet Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Today, there are nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 62,000 in Iowa. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends are serving as caregivers, including nearly 100,000 in Iowa.
