Family Counseling & Support Groups Flashcards

When a family caregiver reports that they have stopped engaging in hobbies and social activities since caregiving began, this is best described as:

Answer: Social withdrawal that may indicate depression or caregiver burnout

Loss of previous activities and social connections is a hallmark warning sign of caregiver burnout and potential depression.

The Savvy Caregiver Program is designed to:

Answer: Provide family caregivers with skills and strategies to manage caregiving demands more effectively

The Savvy Caregiver Program is a structured psychoeducational program for family members caring for someone with dementia.

Which boundary issue most commonly arises for professionals facilitating Alzheimer's caregiver support groups?

Answer: Over-disclosing personal caregiving experiences to build rapport with group members

Facilitator self-disclosure can blur professional boundaries; sharing must be purposeful, minimal, and in service of the group's needs.

A family is split between two care approaches: one sibling favors memory care placement while another insists on home care with hired help. The counselor's goal is best described as:

Answer: Helping the family weigh values, resources, and care needs to reach a shared decision

The counselor facilitates a values-based decision-making process rather than directing the family toward a predetermined outcome.

A new support group member arrives visibly distressed after a difficult week. The most appropriate opening response from the facilitator is:

Answer: Acknowledging their distress and inviting them to share if they feel comfortable

Acknowledging distress while preserving group structure and the member's autonomy creates safety without disrupting the group.

Which statement best reflects the role of psychoeducation in Alzheimer's family counseling?

Answer: It provides families with disease information that helps contextualize behaviors and improve coping

Psychoeducation combines disease knowledge with emotional support to help families understand and respond more effectively to Alzheimer's-related behaviors.

A caregiver mentions their adult child has started criticizing how they care for the grandparent with Alzheimer's. In counseling, the most useful intervention would be:

Answer: Helping the caregiver set boundaries and establish clearer family communication patterns

Family counseling addresses intergenerational conflict by improving communication and clarifying roles and expectations.