Caregivers of the Upstate: Support and Resources for Family Caregivers in South Carolina
Who Caregivers of the Upstate Serves
Caregivers of the Upstate is a nonprofit organization based in Greenville that supports family members and friends who provide unpaid care to aging adults, people with disabilities, and those managing chronic illnesses. The organization recognizes that caregiving—whether full-time or part-time—creates real strain on the person doing the caring, and it offers programs designed to reduce isolation, provide practical information, and connect caregivers to resources across the Upstate region.
The organization serves caregivers in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens, and surrounding counties. Whether you are caring for a parent with dementia, a spouse recovering from surgery, an adult child with a disability, or an aging relative managing multiple health conditions, Caregivers of the Upstate offers peer support, educational workshops, and referrals to local services.
Key Takeaways
- Caregivers of the Upstate runs support groups, educational workshops, and a caregiver resource library focused on the practical and emotional challenges of unpaid caregiving.
- The organization connects caregivers to local services including respite care, adult day programs, and home health agencies operating in the Upstate.
- Membership and most programs are free or low-cost, and the organization can help you understand what services may be available to the person you care for.
- You can reach Caregivers of the Upstate by phone or email to ask about current support groups, upcoming workshops, or resources for a specific caregiving situation.
Support Groups and Peer Connection
The organization runs ongoing support groups where caregivers meet regularly to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others in similar situations. Groups are often organized by the type of care—for example, groups for those caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, groups for adult children caring for aging parents, and groups for spousal caregivers. Meeting formats vary; some groups meet in person at the Caregivers of the Upstate office in Greenville, while others may meet virtually or in community locations across the Upstate.
Support groups typically meet monthly or twice monthly and are led by trained facilitators or experienced caregivers. Attendance is free, and you do not need to commit to every session—you can drop in when you need it. Many caregivers find that hearing from others who understand the daily reality of caregiving reduces the sense of isolation and provides practical tips for managing common challenges.
Educational Workshops and Training
Caregivers of the Upstate offers workshops on topics directly relevant to caregiving: managing dementia behaviors, communicating with doctors, understanding Medicare and insurance, preventing caregiver burnout, and legal and financial planning. Workshops are taught by healthcare professionals, social workers, or experienced caregivers and are designed to be practical rather than theoretical.
Workshop schedules change seasonally, and some are offered both in person and online. The organization also maintains a resource library with written materials, videos, and fact sheets on caregiving topics that you can access by phone or email. If you are facing a specific challenge—such as managing medication for someone with multiple conditions or finding respite care—staff can point you toward materials or local resources that address your situation.
Referrals to Local Services and Programs
One of the most practical services Caregivers of the Upstate provides is connection to other resources in the Upstate. Staff can tell you about adult day programs, respite care options, home health agencies, meal delivery services, transportation programs, and support services for people with specific diagnoses. They understand the local landscape and can explain what each service does, how to contact them, and what costs or requirements may apply.
This is particularly valuable if you are new to caregiving or new to the Upstate. Rather than searching online or calling multiple agencies, you can contact Caregivers of the Upstate and describe your situation—for example, "I need someone to stay with my mother for a few hours on Saturday mornings" or "My husband has early-stage Parkinson's and I want to know what support groups exist for that"—and staff can point you in the right direction.
How to Contact Caregivers of the Upstate
You can reach Caregivers of the Upstate by phone or email to learn about current support groups, ask about upcoming workshops, or request information about services for the person you care for. The organization's main office is in Greenville, and staff can answer questions about programs serving other parts of the Upstate as well.
When you contact them, have a general sense of what you are looking for—whether it is peer support, information about a specific caregiving topic, or a referral to a local service. Staff will ask questions to understand your situation and can often provide guidance or resources on the same call. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, they can also direct you to emergency resources.
Membership and Costs
Caregivers of the Upstate operates as a nonprofit, and most of its programs are free or very low-cost. Support group attendance is free. Many workshops are free or charge a small fee. The organization relies on donations, grants, and community support to keep programs running, and they do not turn away caregivers based on inability to pay.
Some specialized workshops or training programs may have a small fee to cover materials or instructor costs, but the organization will tell you upfront what any costs are. If cost is a barrier, ask whether financial assistance or a sliding scale is available.
Why Caregiver Support Matters
Unpaid family caregiving is physically and emotionally demanding. Caregivers often experience stress, fatigue, depression, and health problems of their own. Research shows that caregivers who have access to peer support, education, and respite care report better mental health, less isolation, and greater confidence in their caregiving role. Caregivers of the Upstate exists because the Upstate community recognized that family caregivers deserve support—not just the people they care for.
Whether you are in the early stages of caregiving or have been caring for someone for years, connecting with other caregivers and learning about available resources can make a real difference in how you experience the role and how well you are able to sustain it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a member to attend support groups or workshops?
No. Support groups and most workshops are open to any caregiver in the Upstate. You do not need to register in advance for many groups—you can simply show up or call ahead to confirm the time and location. Some specialized workshops may require advance registration so organizers know how many people to expect.
What if I cannot attend in person?
Caregivers of the Upstate offers some support groups and workshops online or by phone, particularly for caregivers who have difficulty leaving home or live farther from Greenville. When you contact the organization, ask about virtual options for the group or topic you are interested in.
Can Caregivers of the Upstate help me understand what services the person I care for might be able to access?
Yes. Staff can discuss what services may be available based on the person's age, health condition, and financial situation—such as Medicare benefits, Medicaid waiver programs, or community services. They cannot determine what someone is may have access to to, but they can explain how different programs work and help you know what questions to ask when you contact those programs.
What if I am caring for someone with a specific diagnosis, like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's?
Caregivers of the Upstate often runs diagnosis-specific support groups and has resources tailored to particular conditions. When you call, tell them what diagnosis you are dealing with, and they can connect you with others in that situation and materials specific to that condition.
Is there a cost to contact Caregivers of the Upstate for information or referrals?
No. Calling or emailing to ask questions, get referrals, or learn about programs is free. You are not charged for staff time or information provided. The organization's goal is to make it easy for caregivers to find the support and resources they need.