Family Support Group

Family caregivers of patients with life-limiting illnesses – such as cancer, end stage lung or heart disease or motor neurone disease – frequently express feelings of being unprepared and uncertain of how the face the challenges of such a difficult and distressing situation.

Family members in a caring role hope to provide the best possible care for their loved ones but often talk about feeling isolated by the responsibility. Sometimes they can feel unsure of where how to find support that is helpful and have a sense of being overwhelmed by the experience or caring so intensely.

The Family Support Group has been designed to offer support and provide practical information, to ensure you look after yourself so that you can continue to look after others. The group will help you to explore the emotional impact of the illness and ensure you allow time for sharing with other families.

Sessions will be held at Day Hospice at Weston Hospicecare, the group will meet weekly on a Monday from 2:00pm – 4:00pm.
Regular sessions with others experiencing a caring roll with hopefully address many of your concerns and reassure you that you are not alone. Being part of a group with others in a similar situation can be reassuring and supportive. We will take through ways to look after yourself because you are important and are living with the illness too. The sessions will provide a safe and confidential space to talk about worries and fears that are naturally present and shared by others.

Aims of the session
• Services and support networks available to you
• How to avoid ‘burn-out’, learn relaxation techniques and take time out
• Planning ahead for difficult decisions and choices for future care
• Coping when a loved one is dying

At any one time, Weston Hospicecare is supporting 1 in 100 local people and their families across a wide geographical area – from Yatton in the North, Burnham on Sea and Wedmore in the South, and as far as Cheddar and Draycott to the East.