If you've ever been interested in joining a caregiver support group, but find it difficult to attend a meeting, online caregiver support groups may be for you.

In our “wired” world, there are hundreds of opportunities to connect with other caregivers, to problem-solve, share information and gain support. Online groups are very diverse — organized by disease specialty, by caregiving topics and by format. Many caregivers report that they appreciate the flexibility and greater anonymity of participation in these groups and also value hearing from larger, more varied and geographically diverse groups of people.

The following list includes some well-established online groups. Before signing on, it's good to check each site's guidelines for participation. Many sites give you the option of responding to individual messages or posting to the group at large; some allow you to receive daily messages in individual or digest form. Make sure to note privacy policies, how to enroll and un-enroll, and who sponsors the site. Some groups are "hosted" by a professional organization and are checked for content while others may be more informal. All groups require some form of registration before logging on, but be wary of any that charge a fee for participation or those that are overly laden with product advertising or marketing.

A few well-known sites are listed below to get you started. However, there are many others. To find more, search the Internet with the following keywords: online caregiver support groups, caregiver chat, or caregiver discussion forums. 

You can also go to disease specific sites. For example, search for brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Alzheimer's disease into your search field. You may easily find online discussion groups or links to other sites that offer online support by searching the Internet.

Caregiver Support Groups, Discussion Forums and Chat Groups

Family Caregiver Alliance: Online Support Groups: www.caregiver.org 

Offers four different online support groups:

• Caregiver Online Group - an un-moderated group for families, partners, and other caregivers of adults with various disorders.
• Huntington's Disease and Movement Disorders Online Group - for anyone living with HD, Parkinson's or another movement disorder.
• LGBTQ Caring Community Online Support Group - offers a forum for LGBTQ caregivers of adults with chronic health problems to discuss their unique issues.
• Link2 Care Support Group - part of a secure website dedicated to clients of California's Caregiver Resource Centers. The groups are operated in a list-serve (e-mail) format. You may post to individuals or to the entire group, and may elect to receive messages individually or in a daily digest.

Caregiving.com Support Center: www.caregiving.com

Offers ten online support groups for:

• New caregivers
• Seasoned caregivers
• Caregivers transitioning out of their caregiving role
• Male caregivers
• Young adults affected by a caregiving situation
• Gays and lesbians caring for a parent and/or partner
• Family caregivers interested in discussing their Christian beliefs as they relate to their caregiving roles
• Family caregivers in the "sandwich generation" caring for aging relatives while raising  a young family
• Those grieving the loss of a family member or friend
• Caregivers book club

Family members and professionals are encouraged to participate. A participating member monitors all groups, and each group is in a list-serve (e-mail) format. Participants send and receive e-mail to take part in discussions. This site also offers a feature called "Ask the Experts" where questions on different topics can be directed to professionals in that field.

Elder Care Online: www.ec-online.net  

Hosts regular live chat sessions, an elder care forum community message board and an "Ask the Experts" feature, as well as information about resources local to the caregiver. This site has well-articulated standards of conduct and guidelines for being a community member". The Elder Care Forum community Message Board is divided and subdivided into many areas, so those with a very specific interest may find it here. There is also a section with links to other sites for support.

National Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org

At the National Alzheimer's Association site you can share your thoughts and experiences, ask questions and make connections (and maybe new friends) through their message boards. The message boards are divided into four topics, depending on whether you are a caregiver, a professional, an individual with Alzheimer's, or a researcher.  You can also search past posts. To post messages you will need to create your own account.  All you need is your name and a password to become a registered user.