Thank you for showing an interest in Caregiver Connections. I am Mike Clark, President of this organization, founded by Peggy Wyllie in 2022. From the beginning, we have been lending a helping hand to caregivers of loved ones with dementia. We serve caregivers located in Polk County, NC, and the surrounding foothills areas.
Caregiver Connections is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that supports family members and others, who care for loved ones living with memory loss.
Among our volunteers, we have experienced medical professionals, contributing to both our caregiver meetings and our board meetings.
To provide connections and fellowship between caregivers caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia
Facilitate twice monthly meetings that provide connections and training in a safe environment, fostering self-expression, knowledge, personal experiences, and caregiver challenges. On-site care and support for loved ones is provided by trained volunteers during caregiver meetings. Meetings are at no cost to caregivers.
Supply accessible information on local resources, in-home care options, memory care facilities, and private or government funding resources.
Partner with other agencies that:
Assistance:
Education:
Support:
“It’s such a relief to know that there are others that are in the same boat…I don’t have to go through this alone.”
– Peggy Sue
“Initially I was getting most of my ‘need to know’ information from volunteers, now most of the information from other Caregivers.”
– Olivia
“My last Caregiver meeting was a rough one, but at least 3 other Caregivers reached out to me after the meeting to give me support…I was overwhelmed.”
– Ida
“keep telling myself, if I only knew this when I was starting my journey, it would have been so much easier.”
– John
Note: Names are fictional in order to protect the identity of the caregivers providing testimonials.
Our founder, Peggy Wyllie, while helping a friend look for help in 2022, discovered that there were no organizations in Polk County, NC, and the surrounding foothills area that offered support for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. At 91 years old, Peggy decided to organize a group of volunteers to support caregivers and named it “Foothills Dementia/Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group.” As of December 2024, our group of caregivers has grown from 3 to more than 50. Our new name, Caregiver Connections, was introduced in mid-2024. Our mission remains the same as Peggy first envisioned: To provide a safe environment while forming connections with caregivers “in the same boat” to achieve a robust network of mutual support, and to provide guidance, practical advice, and information regarding available resources in our surrounding communities.
We remain an all-volunteer, non-profit organization with limited resources of our own. By teaming with other local organizations, we have gained caregiver meeting spaces, such as The Meeting Place in Columbus, NC, and Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, NC. Through the support of numerous people and organizations, who have graciously volunteered their time, Additionally, we have provided caregivers with over twenty training events. Generous funding support from private citizens, AARP, and local organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, and White Oak Manor - all of Tryon, NC - has not only allowed us to cover business expenses, but also to offer assistance, such as our catered meal program, to caregivers.
While Caregiver Connections’ focus is on caregivers, we have teamed up with other programs that focus on loved ones, such as the EASE program at FENCE. We continue to look for new opportunities, such as respite care and Memory Cafe, to provide additional support for caregivers and their loved ones.
Based on the area’s demographics, we anticipate that the need for support for those caring for loved ones with cognitive issues will continue to grow. Our plan is to expand the organization to meet this need.