Vital Living Caregiving Services

If you are providing care for a friend or relative with memory loss or other chronic illnesses, You Are Not Alone.

One of the most important ways to help older adults remain at home and age well is to support those who are providing their daily care. Being a caregiver is HARD. At Vital Living, we know that in order to provide the most compassionate, informed, and successful care for another, you must also Care For Yourself.

Taking care of someone can be rewarding, and is also stressful--taking a toll on you both emotionally and physically. It is very normal to feel grief at what has been and is continuing to be lost, to become isolated as your focus narrows, and to feel lost and confused as you navigate unfamiliar territory.

We Are Here For You

Shay MacKay is our Caregiver Well-Being and Support Coordinator, with 15 years of experience working with community elders. She has been both a caregiver herself and an advocate for caregivers and the people they care for in transitional care facilities and nursing homes. Shay is a trained caregiver consultant skilled in creative problem solving and deep listening.

Along with regular support groups for caregivers, we offer weekly respite opportunities at the NE Day Spot, regular educational opportunities for aregivers, and resources through newsletters, emails, and personal consultations.

For more info, contact Shay at 612-787-4076 or SMacKay@esns.org.

Support Groups

Caregiver support groups can be a lifeline, providing a much-needed safe space to express frustration and grief, discuss the challenges and joys of caregiving, and discover valuable information from other caregivers.

In these supportive environments you can:

  • Get connected to the community resources you need

  • Meet and support other people with similar experiences

  • Learn self-care strategies and coping techniques

  • Finally get to talk about YOUR feelings and needs

Currently all of our support groups are meeting via Zoom. Attendance is open to anyone 18+ years of age who is a caregiver for an older adult. First time participants will need to request a link and password to enter the calls.

Caregiver Support Group

  • The First Monday of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

  • The Third Tuesday of each month from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

  • We have a separate group for those who identify as LGBTQ+

  • The Third Monday of each month from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

NE Day Spot

  • Fridays

    • 10:00AM to 1:00PM

  • The Fourth Saturday of each month 10am to 1pm

NE Day Spot is a weekly in-person engagement program for people experiencing a chronic condition (like memory loss) to provide their care partner respite. Working with East Side staff, volunteers help create a community of care by being a NE Day Spot Friend to participants. Time is spent socializing, playing games, enjoying music, having lunch, and creating artwork together.

Registration and pre-assessment is required. Cost is based on a sliding fee scale from $0-$45 per week.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Shay MacKay at 612-787-4076 or SMacKay@esns.org.

Caregiving Services are funded under contract with Trellis (formerly Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, Inc.) as part of the Older Americans Act.

Caregiver Resources Newsletters