Every day, there are millions of caregivers working hard to take care of the ones they love. Many of these caregivers share similar experiences and struggles and are in search of support and understanding. The sense of community that can be cultivated through caregiver support groups is so important. Many caregivers report that having the support of fellow caregivers  is one of their most valuable assets.a They provide the opportunity to be yourself, share your experiences, and find valuable and helpful resources.

“It’s just a feeling of knowing that you belong,” says Ginny Sims, a resident at Terracina Grand in Naples, Florida. “I felt like I was going to be able to meet people who I would be comfortable with and who I could relate to here.”

During the search for a comfortable and safe senior care option for your loved one, it isn’t uncommon to feel confused or overwhelmed. You want to make sure you make the right decision for your loved one, but with so many options — and so many names for them — it can be hard to make sense of it all. You’re not alone.

What started off as a service project for gifted students has evolved into so much more. “Originally, it began as a way to share what was happening in the younger generation and show how technology is now helping today’s students learn with seniors. But it actually grew from this original idea. Friendships were built!” says Darla Williams, a teacher at Rose Park Elementary School in Billings, Montana.

The first thing you notice when you meet Evelyn Kleine is her sunny disposition and sense of humor. 110 years sure looks good on her. After all, for Evelyn, age is just a number.

When making the transition to a senior living community, there are some key things to consider when discussing the different options available for yourself or your loved ones.

“I remember years ago my grandfather telling me things that were happening in his life and I kept telling him that I understood,” says Tina Vauthier, Executive Director at Westpark Village, a senior living community in Billings, Montana. “He looked at me and said, ‘Honey, you have never walked in my shoes before, but I have walked in yours.’ He was right. As much as I wanted to understand, I had not been through it before and I needed to be empathetic to him.”

Senior living communities provide ample opportunities to make a difference and get involved in life enriching activities on a daily basis. Betty Becker, a resident at Terracina Grand, takes us through what a typical day looks like for her.

“Through serving others, these acts help raise our sense of purpose and meaning,” says Hutch Walch, Director of Spirituality for The Goodman Group.

“Friendships and spirits seem to soar when our residents are volunteering and giving back.” Volunteering is mutually advantageous, offering both those serving and those being served a benefit. Residents have reported they feel happier and healthier when volunteering.

It all started with an extended conversation between Gretta Freeman and her 18-year-old granddaughter, Jenny. She was about to leave home for college and filled with the excitement of new experiences, friends, and learning. She was also uncertain about leaving behind friends and family, meeting the challenges of a higher education, and “about a million and ten thoughts and emotions I couldn’t begin to articulate,” as she later wrote. But the conversations she had with her grandma Gretta put those concerns to rest. As Jenny put it, “by talking through things with grandma, I went to college more relaxed, more focused on what I wanted, and above all, more confident that I would be OK.”