Free Counseling for Caregivers Available via Zoom

This has been a difficult year for everyone, but especially for family caregivers. During the pandemic many of you have been cut off from family, friends, and other sources of respite or support. At the same time, you’ve continued fulfilling your daily caregiving responsibilities, and possibly taken on new ones.

These challenges can lead to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, frustration, stress and grief or loss. Some of you may be approaching caregiver burnout.

Do any of the following expressions sound familiar?

• No one understands what I’m going through!
• He/She is just not the same. I miss my husband/wife and the fun things we used to do together.
• I’m so frustrated I could cry!
• I just can’t believe he/she has dementia. What will the future hold?

How AFC Can Help

We understand the struggles that come with caring for a loved one with dementia. Our expert family counselors specialize in helping caregivers manage the demands and emotional aspects of caregiving.

Alzheimer’s Family Center has received generous grant funding from Archstone Foundation to provide eight, free counseling sessions for caregivers caring for an adult with a cognitive impairment. Each session is conducted through Zoom videoconferencing and lasts 50 minutes.

When you call Alzheimer’s Family Center at (714) 593-9630 for caregiver counseling, you will be connected to a therapist who will provide you with a brief phone consultation and schedule you for your initial visit via Zoom. At that time, you will have an opportunity to discuss your issues and concerns in a safe, secure environment. Together, you and your therapist will determine your goals for therapy.

And don’t let technology be a roadblock. We have tech support staff to help you connect on Zoom. All you need is an internet connection and a computer, tablet or cell phone.

How You Can Benefit from Counseling

These are some of the benefits you will receive:

• Develop tools to handle stress, frustration, and anger.
• Free yourself from emotional pain and destructive habits.
• Get support and understanding for your role as a caregiver.
• Overcome sadness, grief, and guilt.
• Work through conflict.
• Improve your health and mental and emotional well-being.

Some caregivers want to continue beyond the eight, free sessions. If so, we are also a Medicare provider and contracted with several insurance providers and the VA to extend services to caregivers beyond what grant funding will cover. Out-of-pocket and scholarship options are available as well.

What Caregivers Have to Say

Caregivers who have completed their counseling with us shared these comments:

“The support I received through this most difficult time is priceless to me. Counseling helped me get out of the survival mode and look at the situation fully and find ways to enjoy my husband and make the best of our time in the difficult journey. So thankful!”

“I am grateful for the counseling. It came at a time when I most needed it. Thank you.”

“I feel like I received one ‘nugget’ of information that was so relevant to me each session I attended. It was truly a Godsend. I am continuing to use the skills I acquired on a weekly basis. Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate!”

“Counseling helped me to understand my depression and as a result no longer take medication for it.”

“I truly don’t know what I would have done without this help.  I’m extremely grateful. Thank you.”

“Thank you for being there as a service for caregivers. Very much appreciated.”

“Really appreciate my time with the counselor. So grateful for the grant!! Thank you!”

Schedule your first counseling session today. Call us now at (714) 593-9630.