Caregiving is hard. No one should have to do it alone.

It is also one of the most rewarding — and most exhausting — roles a person can take on. For many, it means long hours, heavy responsibilities, and emotional strain that can feel overwhelming.

That’s why the Camarillo Health Care District’s Caregiver Support Group has become a lifeline for people like Rochelle and Dan.

For Rochelle, caregiving has been part of her life for as long as she can recall — as a special education teacher and mother. However, when the father of her eldest son’s chronic conditions worsened and he became bedridden, the daily demands quickly became too much. With no one around to care for him, Rochelle stepped up — taking on the responsibilities of caring for him, while putting herself on the backburner.

“I hit a wall,” she admitted. Physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted, she turned to her community for support.  She helped find him the care he needed at a local residential care facility while also joining the District’s Caregiver Support Group. “The group gave me a sense of not being alone,” she said. “It helped me heal and find peace again.” While she admits she still deals with his isolation and her own guilt, she knows, “When you care for someone there’s always an underlying feeling of guilt when you can’t offer them what they want.”

Dan, a devoted and caring husband, has been providing care for his wife for the last 10 years. A year ago, Dan decided to retire and focus exclusively on his wife’s needs. “My responsibility as a husband and partner is to take care of her,” he said. However, Dan learned that he needed to take care of himself, too. So, he turned to the Camarillo Health Care District and  found the same community in the District’s Caregiver Support Group. “You learn you’re not alone in your struggles,” he said. “It’s a very loving, caring and informative network.”

Facilitated virtually twice a month by the District’s Caregiver Center, the group offers caregivers a safe, compassionate space to share, learn and recharge. The Caregiver Center — a federally designated family resource center — also provides classes like Powerful Tools for Caregivers and Dealing with Dementia, along with screenings for caregiver stress and depression.

“Caring for a loved one can feel like you’re floating in the middle of the ocean all alone,” said District CEO Blair Barker. “Our Caregiver Center is like a flotation device. We’re here to help keep caregivers afloat.  We are here to help them care for their loved ones — and themselves.”

Caregiving is difficult, and unsupported it can lead to stress, anxiety and burnout. Support groups provide an environment where caregivers express themselves and find comfort and encouragement knowing they are not alone.

The Caregiver Support Group meets virtually on the second and fourth Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m. Call 800-900-8582 to join.

The purpose of Caregiver Support Group is to identify and minimize caregiver-related stress and prevent psychological, physical, behavioral, and social problems among caregivers and care receivers. 

It sometimes can be difficult for people to realize that they are a caregiver because they may feel 1) they're only  doing what is expected, 2) they’re just  taking care of their spouse, parent, child, friend or neighbor, or 3) they feel it's "what any decent person would do".

Family caregivers face challenges and difficulties that can include their own health issues and sense of well-being.  That’s why the District’s Caregivers Center is so important. The center features a Caregivers Resource Library, a Relaxation Room, care consultations as well as classes for family caregivers.