People who care for a loved one with MS may do so in many ways. Some provide physical care. Others may provide emotional support. Some provide both. If you are a caregiver, you may find some of the following resources beneficial.
Caregiver Support Groups
Join other family caregivers of people with MS — spouses, partners, siblings, adult children, parents — to share concerns, stories and resources.
MS Family Caregiver Support Group
This group will meet from 6:45 to 8:15 pm on the second Tuesday of every month throughout the year at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD.
New members are always welcome. There is no charge for the group, but registration is required. Please call 202-296-5363 or email Kdougherty@MSandYOU.org.
Well Spouse Association Groups for Caregivers
Virginia Group
This group meets the third Monday of every Month from 7 - 9 p.m. in Burke, VA. There is also a daytime group that meets monthly for lunch. To register, contact Dorothy Saunders at (703) 425-2430 or dmsaundersinva@hotmail.com.
Washington, D.C./Maryland Group
Regular meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Tony Lin's restaurant in Rockville, MD at 6:30 pm. This group is primarily a social gathering for caregiver relaxation. Contact support group leader Dorothy Pocinki at dgplyrics@aol.com or Paula Weiss at Pweissmsw1@gmail.com, or 301-762-6398.
Other Caregiver Resources
- Publishes Today’s Caregiver Magazine; to subscribe, call (800) 829-2734.
- Provides links to many online discussion groups and resources such as government and nonprofit agencies
Caregiver Resource Center
Holy Cross Hospital
Silver Spring, MD
(301) 754-7152
www.holycrosshealth.org/svc_senior_caregivercenter.htm
- Provides a wide spectrum of information and support and offers caregiver support groups
National Family Caregivers Association
10400 Connecticut Avenue,
Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895
(800) 896-3650
info@thefamilycaregiver.org
www.thefamilycaregiver.org
- Free member benefits include Take Care! a quarterly newsletter; The Resourceful Caregiver, a useful guide to resources; and a support hotline.
- The NFCA wants to bring specific attention to the day-to-day lives of family caregivers across the nation. One of the most effective ways to shed light on the lives of family caregivers, celebrate their efforts, and honor their work is by telling caregiver stories. To get involved in the NFCA Caregiver Story Project, visit www.thefamilycaregiver.org or call (800) 896-3650.
Well Spouse Association
63 West Main Street, Suite H
Freehold, NJ 07728
info@wellspouse.org
www.wellspouse.org
- Publishes Mainstay, a bi-monthly news-letter
- Provides networking/local support group
