As part of its Telehealth Geriatric Support Services, the Isa Psychological Services Center at the University of Guam will be hosting online caregiver support groups four times per month. The service is in collaboration with the UOG School of Health’s Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.

Open free of charge to partners, family members, and other caregivers of persons with dementia, the support groups will provide a safe place to share the stresses and challenges, successes and rewards of caring for a loved one with dementia with others who may be going through similar experiences. The groups will also provide a forum for caregivers to participate in presentations led by health care professionals and other community members with expertise in caring for persons with dementia.

The support groups will be facilitated by Isa Psychological Services Center counselors Annie Fay Camacho and Nikolas Gutierrez, who each hold bachelor’s degrees in psychology; Health Services of the Pacific social worker Rhoda Orallo, who holds a master’s in social work; and clinical psychologist Dr. Iain Twaddle of the Isa Psychological Services Center.

The support groups will be conducted remotely via phone, text, and video sessions during the pandemic. 

Sessions will be held year-round starting on Aug. 5 at the following times:

• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month 
• 10 a.m. to noon on the first and third Saturdays of each month

Participation in the support groups is client-centered and confidential.

To sign up for an online caregiver support group, call or email Annie Fay Camacho at (671) 735-2883 or isa@triton.uog.edu or Rhoda Orallo at (671) 735-3277 or nfcspmgr@teleguam.net.