As one of the facilitators of the group, I have been surprised by the low attendance. After all, AARP estimates that more than one in five Americans (21.3 percent) provide unpaid care to others. This means an estimated 53.0 million adults in the United States are helpers!

With so many of us, why are so few of us connecting with each other in the virtual world, where we don’t have even have to leave home? This made me wonder if many of us don’t think we “need” (or deserve) extra support. Or maybe we just don’t think of ourselves as caregivers at all. But if you do many of these important things for another adult that you love, you are a “hidden helper!”

· provide transportation to medical appointments

· pick-up and/or organize medications

· monitor the health of your loved one

· communicate and advocate with their health care providers

· tend to the majority of errands and household duties (repairs/cleaning/supply stocking/laundry)

· prepare meals

· pay bills and/or monitor finances

Another possibility that may explain why there are so few of us in the caregiving group is that people aren’t sure what to expect in a group like this (sign up by emailing me a note at

fumccaregiversgroup@gmail.com). If that is the case, rest assured there’s a structure for the meeting, we never go over 90 minutes (often we end 15 minutes early), and sharing OR passing is equally okay. If you are a hidden helper, why not give it a try to see if it of help to you? (No judgement if you don’t return!)

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more. I can be reached at the FUMC caregiver group email address listed above.