To the Editor:

I am writing in response to the article in the Sept. 17 issue of the Sentinel, "Caregivers Need Care Too."

Caregivers rank No. 1 with me for all they do, whether they are professional caregivers or those family members stepping up to care for a loved one. At Interfaith Caregivers, we strive to recognize the gift of caregiving, and those exceptional people who do it. While we are involved in providing non-medical services to seniors to enable them to stay in their own homes, living with independence and dignity, we recognize there comes a time for some when caregiving from another becomes helpful and necessary.

The article noted that "Larson and Erickson say there should be caregiver support groups available ..." Well, there are two such support groups in Martin County, and two more in Faribault County that our agency facilitates.

In Martin County, Jennelle Cunning is our caregiver consultant. One support group meets at the Fairmont hospital on the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. The other meets at Temperance Ridge Assisted Living in Sherburn on the first Tuesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. You may reach Jennelle at (507) 235-5860 if you wish to have more information on these groups.

In Faribault County, Jean Bierly facilitates a group for families of Alzheimer's patients, and a new support group for families of Parkinson disease patients is just beginning. Please call Jean at our office for more information at (507) 526-4684.

Thank you for your recognition of caregivers, and for the well-written article your printed last week.

Helen Tesch, director

Interfaith Caregivers-Faith in Action

in Faribault County