Get to Know the Alzheimer’s Association’s Libby Pederson of the Young Caregiver Support Group

I’ll never forget.

It was October of 2016. I was living in Chicago at the time and my dad was coming into town to visit. I had just started a new job, and I was sitting in on a meeting with a client that was running very late. I was supposed to meet my dad for dinner, but I felt I needed to prioritize this new job and didn’t have the nerve to tell them I needed to leave to meet my dad.

I ended up being an hour late for dinner and my heart was already in the pit of my stomach because of my tardiness. I sat down … and almost without hesitation, the first words to come out of my dad’s mouth in a packed restaurant was, “I’ve been diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s.”

I was stunned. The room around me just went dark. At first, and for many months, all I could do was cry. I felt so ashamed that I had taken our relationship for granted all those years before. That I hadn’t paid attention to the small changes in him throughout my high school and college years. That I hadn’t addressed them sooner.

He quickly went through all the changes that one does when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s: forgetfulness, anger, frustration… and in so many ways I was going through those emotions with him. I was slowly saying goodbye to my dad. I have no siblings. My parents divorced. I didn’t know where to turn to in life to dig me out of this deep, emotional, gaping hole.

Eventually, after moving my dad around to multiple facilities once he had progressed beyond the point of being able to take care of himself at home, I moved back to Des Moines to be closer to him. This brought me some comfort to be 15 minutes away from him, but I needed more. More information. More support. I started volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association as a Community Educator where not only could I learn more about the research and development being done by this organization, but about how I could best assist and comfort my dad and provide that same information to others.

Supporting Young Adults Caring for Parents

I then learned that the Alzheimer’s Association and their amazing volunteers led support groups weekly, both virtually and in person. I attended a few but, in many ways, felt detached from those that attended because many of them were caregiving for or had lost their spouses. A very different relationship and background than a young adult looking for emotional support in caring for a parent. So, I made a suggestion: why don’t we start a support group specifically focused on young adults caring for their parents?

So, as a team under the Alzheimer’s Association of Iowa, we launched the Young Caregiver Support Group. This is a virtual group targeting young adults from 18-40 that provides:

• Emotional support and a safe space for young adults to express their feelings, share experiences and receive empathy from others who understand their situation.
• Practical advice on managing daily caregiving tasks, dealing with behavioral changes and navigating healthcare systems.
• Connection with others in similar situations to help reduce feelings of loneliness and supply a sense of community.
• Coping strategies to manage stress and prevent caregiver burnout, including techniques for self-care and balancing caregiving responsibilities with personal life.
• Resource sharing such as respite care services, counseling and educational materials, which can be invaluable for caregivers.

If you are a caregiver, it can take a huge toll on your well-being. Young adults with parents who have dementia all have unique experiences. The goal of this program is to provide a space to talk with others, reach out for support and find spaces to share hard days, as well as good days. This is essential in navigating the challenges adult children will experience.

From understanding the progression of the disease to honing in on communication skills, every step we take is a profound act of love and resilience. Caring for a loved one with dementia is a journey filled with challenges, but also moments of connection and love. The Alzheimer’s Association is here to help navigate this journey with you. For more information on the Young Caregiver Support Group, please see below:

Third Wednesday of the Month
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Call via Zoom
Meeting ID: 956 3235 9101
Passcode: 636

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