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Letter: Stamford Male Support Group Wants Members

STAMFORD, Conn. — The Daily Voice accepts signed, original letters to the editor. Letters may be e-mailed to stamford@dailyvoice.com.

To the editor: 

Is it okay for a husband to seek female companionship while his wife is confined to a nursing home?

A question easily discussed in an all-male caregiver support group, but because of embarrassment, hardly expected with women present. Perhaps, women feel the same about this topic in a mixed support group.

Why do we have so few all-male caregiver support groups?

There are six identifiable in the whole United States and none in major cities. Nearly all others are mixed groups, mainly female and led by the same gender.

Yes, “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus,” according to John Gray, PhD.

It is challenging to recruit men to join a support group and keep coming back.

The Alzheimer’s Association manual for group instructors lists many marketing methods for recruiting. Each state chapter’s website has a section on current support groups and contact information. Group leaders use various methods for recruiting. These include personal promotion, newspaper articles and notices in newsletters.

Getting a core group of three or more often takes time and perseverance. Being convinced of the value may prompt the core members to recruit others to help grow the group.

The next challenge is to provide meetings of interest to assure repeat attendance.

An educational format coupled with time for sharing/caring and stress management is desirable. This conclusion comes from a limited survey of the six identified U.S. all-male AD caregiver support groups.

Leaders follow AD and caregiver literature for sharing and discussion. At first, men may be reticent in joining a support group. Good communication skills and knowledge about dementia through a job or as a caregiver (my case) are essential.

Organizing more all-male AD caregiver support groups remains a major challenge for the Alzheimer’s Association and kindred organizations. It is unfortunate that major U.S. cities do not sponsor such groups for men, who feel more comfortable voicing personal concerns without women present.

Men often find it difficult to accept help. This goes against the male image. It is more difficult for men to share personal information in a group. In time, new members accept the kinship of other men in caregiving. Sharing personal experiences serves to decrease the feeling of aloneness. Yes, it takes a personal experience to prompt a man to join a support group.

Eugene A. Conrad, Stamford, Conn.

Eugene Conrad leads two all-male support groups for men who have loved ones suffering Alzheimer’s or dementia. He can be contacted at conradnote@att.net or (203) 323-6649, or see the Alzheimers Association's Connecticut support group page.

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