Free Caregiver Support Group — Virtual | Project Dana
Caregiving rarely comes with a manual, and the stress of constant, ongoing responsibility for a loved one can build quietly until it’s overwhelming. Project Dana’s Caring for the Caregiver (C4C) program was created specifically to interrupt that isolation, giving family caregivers and soon-to-be caregivers a free, recurring space to “talk story” about what they’re actually going through.
What to Expect
The Caregiver Support Group meets over Zoom, with sessions coordinated by Project Dana’s program staff. Meetings give caregivers room to share current concerns and past experiences with peers who are managing similar demands — whether that’s caring for an aging parent, a spouse with a chronic condition, or another family member who depends on them. The program’s coordinator facilitates each session, and beyond the regular meetings, Project Dana also organizes occasional outings and activities for caregivers to relax and connect outside the structure of a support group.
Who This Group Is For
This group is for family caregivers and those about to become caregivers, regardless of the specific condition or relationship involved. Project Dana’s broader mission centers on serving Hawaiʻi’s kupuna (elders) and their families, and this group reflects that focus — it’s built for people managing the day-to-day, often unpaid work of caring for someone else.
Why Peer Support Works
Caregiver burnout is well documented, and one of the most consistent protective factors against it is connection with other caregivers who don’t need the situation explained to them. Being able to name the exhaustion, the guilt, or the small wins out loud — and have it land with people who’ve felt the same things — helps caregivers process what they’re carrying instead of holding it alone. Project Dana’s coordinator-led format keeps the group steady and consistent, which matters when caregiving itself rarely feels that way.
How to Join
The group is free and meets virtually; current meeting dates and times are posted on Project Dana’s calendar. To register or ask questions, contact Shelley Paet at shelley@projectdana.org or (808) 990-7373, or reach the caregiver support line directly at cgsg@projectdana.org or (808) 945-3736. You can also register online at projectdana.org/caregiver.