Several months after her congregation used the "Caring for the Caregiver" survey, a parishoner asked Deaconess Carol Bowers if there was a Bible-based stroke support group his wife could attend. Her first thought was to answer, "No," but instead she asked if he would be willing to get one started. This group has now been meeting monthly for more than a year, with five couples who attend regularly. Meetings include devotions and either a speaker or a Scripture-based discussion relating to being a stroke survivor.

Carol is Deaconess of Pastoral Care Ministries at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Chandler, Arizona. She develops new programs as needs such as the one above are identified.

Congregations are in a unique position to identify family needs and to assist and support family caregivers. Every congregation has caregivers-there are more than you might think!

The Lutheran Deaconess Association (LDA), 1304 LaPorte Avenue, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383, has developed a new resource to help congregations identify, understand and support family caregivers. "Caring for the Caregiver: A Guide for Congregational Support of Family Caregivers" provides tools to organize ministry teams, to identify family caregivers and their needs, to develop an action plan of support and to evaluate ministry as changes take place.

Deaconess Carol used surveys and programs in "Caring for the Caregiver" as her congregation studied the feasibility of providing some sort of adult day services program. The Perfect Place Adult Day Services opened in March 2004 to meet the needs of the congregation and the surrounding community. New programming at The Perfect Place is added as needs are identified.

"Caring for the Caregiver" has also helped Immanuel Lutheran Church of Valparaiso, Indiana identify family caregivers and their needs. Deaconess Bonnie Beversdorf, Minister of Discipleship, used its materials and guidelines to develop a Caregiver Resource Directory. "I organized a task force of five ladies who all had the spiritual gift of compassion. We did telephone surveys of the special needs of caregivers in our church. Then we listed the names of church members who were willing to help with transportation, legal referral, etc., in a Caregiver Resource Directory. We discovered that Immanuel even has two pilots who would be willing to help in an emergency! The Resource Directory is updated every year and given to new caregivers."