How we hold the room.
The Care Den is a community held together by trust. These are the agreements we make with each other, so the room stays safe for everyone who comes in.
The basics
Confidentiality.What’s shared in The Care Den stays in The Care Den. We do not screenshot, share, or repeat what other members say outside the community.
Respect. We come from many backgrounds, ages, races, religions, and family situations. We treat each other with care and curiosity, not judgment.
No advice unless asked. We listen first. We share our own experience when it helps. We don’t fix, lecture, or prescribe. “You should...” is rarely useful.
Choice always. You can speak or stay quiet. You can come to sessions or skip them. You can leave the camera off, the chat closed, the door propped. Show up the way you can.
About the sessions
Sessions are facilitated, not therapy. Our facilitators are trained peer supporters with their own caregiving experience. They are not clinicians acting in a clinical capacity within The Care Den.
If you are in a mental health crisis, please reach out to a licensed professional or call 988. We will support you in finding help, but The Care Den is not a substitute for clinical care.
Members may share publicly in sessions, or send messages to facilitators privately. Both are welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Care Den?
The Care Den is a peer-led, online membership community for caregivers of persons living with dementia, serious illness or disability. Members meet in facilitated virtual sessions hosted almost every day, five to seven times a week and connect between sessions through our private community platform.
Who is The Care Den for?
The Care Den is primarily for women caring for aging parents, partners, or loved ones, particularly through dementia, serious or chronic illness, disability, recovery, or long-term decline. Men are welcome but the community’s voice is shaped by and for women.
How much does membership cost?
Membership starts at $27 a month for full community access. You can pay-it-forward at the $40 level per month if you feel inclined and have the means to help subsidize others or sustainably compensate our facilitators. No contract. You can cancel anytime.
What if I can’t afford $27 a month?
Write to us. We have a small number of discounted memberships and we would rather have you in the room.
Is this therapy?
No. The Care Den is a peer community, not a clinical service. Our facilitators are primarily trained peer supporters with lived caregiving experience. Occasionally, professionals who work in the care field provide education, resources and support. If you need clinical mental health counseling, please reach out to a licensed professional.
Do I have to attend every session?
No. Some members come to one session a week. Some come to all of them. Some come and stay quiet. All of it is welcome.
Can I leave the camera off?
Yes. Cameras are always optional in The Care Den.
How do I join?
Visit the Join page and follow the link to our community platform. Signup takes a few minutes.
How do I cancel?
From your account on the community platform. No questions, no friction.
What we expect from each other
We show up the way we can.
We listen more than we advise.
We keep what’s shared in the room.
We ask before offering help.
We make space for silence.
We remember that everyone here is carrying something heavy.
We believe each other.
If something goes wrong
If a member says or does something that breaks these guidelines, reach out to a facilitator inside The Den or write to us at hello@thecareden.com. We take this seriously. We will read your message, follow up, and act with care.