Those who take care of loved ones are reminded to also care for themselves during National Caregivers Month. Susan Wellington, marketing director at Halcyon House, says they work with caregivers daily and recognize the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves so they can advocate for the person they’re caring for.

There is a caregiver support group that meets twice each month in Washington. Don Kline, whose wife has Alzheimer’s disease, takes part in those groups and says, “It’s helpful because there’s always a [shared] experience, they’ll ask something and you’ll say, ‘I do it this way.’ You kind of comfort each other when you get down to it.”

The caregivers support group meets the first Monday of the month at the United Presbyterian Church at 6:30 p.m. and third Thursday each month at 2 p.m. at the Halcyon House. The meetings are open to the public, and caregivers are welcome to attend either or both meetings.