Caregivers

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CAREGIVERS

The role of a caregiver can often feel uncertain and isolating, presenting unique challenges that can weigh heavily on an individual. At Hope Haven, we want to partner with caregivers and their loved ones to alleviate some of this burden and ensure they receive the support they need. It’s crucial for caregivers to maintain their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, yet often they find themselves dedicating all their energy to the needs of their loved one. Hope Haven provides a supportive environment that nurtures both the caregivers and the loved ones.

Hope Haven offers caregivers:

Time away from 24/7 caregiving to attend to their own needs - which contributes to an increased quality of life for the whole family.
Support groups to connect with others who are navigating similar journeys.
Resources to help prepare and manage day-to-day challenges, enabling their loved ones to remain at home for longer periods.

If you are caring for someone with dementia or another cognitive challenge, please reach out to us to see if Hope Haven would be beneficial for you and your loved one. We also welcome you to attend our free caregiver support groups even without a member at Hope Haven.

TESTIMONIALS:

"Hope Haven is a life-saver, a sanity-saver and one of the most joyful places we have ever experienced!" - Billie

"Words falter when attempting to express what it means to our family that our mother has found a sanctuary where she is truly seen, sheltered, and cherished." - Family of C.D.

"Hope Haven has been a godsend. The interaction my wife is having is so beneficial for her well-being." -John

MONTHLY DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

3RD TUESDAYS OF THE MONTH AT 10:45

CRANMER HALL: 27 WEST CHARLTON STREET, 3RD FLOOR

CAREGIVERS, JUST SHOW UP - NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

For directions, click here. Press the call button to the left of the double doors for entry.

Join this community of caregivers to:

Connect with those in similar situations and receive emotional support

Share your experiences, struggles and questions on how to best care for a loved one

Educate one another along each step of the caregiving journey and learn what to possibly expect as the dementia progresses

Share and develop caregiver skills regarding relationships, communication, daily challenges and limitations for both you and your loved one

Discuss available community resources

Contact Jill with support group questions or to request 1:1 support.

Hope Haven also hosts quarterly caregiver education events. Sign up to receive our newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming caregiver programming.

SUPPORT GROUP FACILITATOR: JILL COSTELLO

Jill Costello, M.A. serves as the Dementia Care Navigator for Hospice Savannah’s Edel Caregiver Institute, a non-profit organization that offers personalized support for family caregivers. The Caregiver Institute helps with resources, education, and emotional support to reduce stress and maintain the health and quality of life for both the family caregiver and their care recipient.

Holding a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Trevecca University, Jill has completed specialized training in supporting individuals living with dementia and their caregivers through Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care®, Dementia Connection Institute, National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.

Jill initiated the development of the Edel Dementia Program to address the increasingly crucial need for education, emotional support, and specialized skills for caregivers.

Contact her directly: (912) 629-1330

jcostello@edelcaregiverinstitute.org

RESOURCES & INSPIRATION

DEMYSTIFYING DEMENTIA: A SPECIALIST'S ROADMAP TO THE DEMENTIA JOURNEY

In this session of the Hope Haven Caregiver Education series, speaker Jill Costello, Program Coordinator for Hospice Savannah’s Edel Caregiver Institute, offers compassionate guidance and practical insights for navigating the complexities of dementia care. Through visual aids and real-world examples, Jill explains how progressive brain changes impact executive function, vision, language, and sensory processing. Caregivers will learn essential techniques for effective communication, managing resistance without conflict, reframing challenging behaviors, and meeting loved ones where they are with patience, empathy, and dignity.

YOU ARE BELOVED

Some of us walk around with this quiet assumption that if people really knew us, they would step back. That if God really looked closely, He might sigh. That maybe He loves us in theory, but not with delight.

And this is where the spiritual life gets real. Because Christianity is not just about knowing what is true. It is about choosing to live as if it is true, even when you do not feel it yet.

If this resonates with you, click to read the full devotion from our spiritual warrior, Pete Pollak, to remember that you ARE a beloved child of God.

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS: PRACTICAL TOOLS AND TIPS FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS

In this session of the Hope Haven Caregiver Education series, Alexis Williams, Program Manager for the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, shares practical strategies and encouraging guidance to help dementia caregivers navigate the holiday season with less stress and more joy. The presentation highlights seven actionable suggestions for managing holiday dynamics, from adapting long-standing family traditions, adjusting schedules, and involving loved ones in safe, meaningful ways, to setting realistic expectations and granting oneself grace. Viewers will gain valuable insight into practical gift-giving ideas, safe travel tips, and local support resources designed to help families cherish holiday togetherness while protecting the well-being of both caregivers and care recipients.