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Get the Emotional Support You Need
A support group is a gathering of caregivers, family, friends and/or persons with dementia to discuss issues surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The purpose of the support group is to provide an opportunity to meet regularly for mutual support and to exchange coping skills with one another. The reasons people attend support groups vary. People may come to a group to gain a better understanding of the disease, because they are in crisis, or because they have specific caregiving struggles. They may be looking for advice a particular subject or just want to be with people who are having similar experiences. The group provides the opportunity for participants to help maintain their own health and well-being, and enhance their ability to care for the person with dementia.
One caregiver, who is caring for her father, says a support group “provides information about Alzheimer’s disease and helps you realize that you are not alone - just being with others who understand the caregiver’s situation helps. I find it hard to discuss my concerns with those who don’t have experience with Alzheimer’s as it sounds like I’m complaining- other caregivers understand.” A support group can give you moral support and encouragement during a difficult time.
Tips for Caregivers
- The person who best understands a caregiver is someone who has been one. Find someone and talk.
- Become an educated caregiver - learn as much as you can about Alzheimer’s disease, the stages and caregiving skills.
- What resources are available and make use of them; in-home care, respite care, adult day care and meals-on-wheels are some community services which can help you.
- Don’t smother the person for whom you are caring. Sometimes doing the right thing means doing less.
- Don’t be a martyr. You don’t have to do it alone. Ask for help.
- Take care of yourself - watch your diet, exercise, and get plenty of rest.
- Give yourself credit - if you are feeling unappreciated and overworked, try to set some time aside to treat yourself as the special person that you are.
We have many support groups at various times and locations. Check to see if there is a group close to you that fits your needs
If you prefer, call our 24-hour Helpline — 1.800.272.3900.
If you have Alzheimer's
Early Stage, 4th Thursday, 1:30 pm
For Caregivers and for Persons with Dementia
Call the Chapter Office for information - 804-967-2580
Younger-Onset Group
We now offer a support group for individuals who were diagnosed with a dementia disease under the age of 65. Support Groups are offered at the same time for their caregivers, teenage children, and younger children. For information on this group, contact the office at 967-2580.
Connect with others online
The Alzheimer’s Association message boards and chat rooms provide a virtual online community for persons with Alzheimer's, caregivers and care providers. Our message boards have thousands of registered members from around the United States and thousands more who refer to the stories and information that is available 24 hours a day.
Join the Alzheimer’s Association online community.
Support Groups
Support Groups shown below or click here to print a copy.
Richmond Area
Adult Children, 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Bon Air Methodist Church
1645 Buford Rd., Room 207, N. Chesterfield, VA 23235
Lynda Gormus, 320-0619 & Erin Davidson, 514-2142
Ashland, 1st Tuesday, 7:00 pm
First Baptist Church
800 Thompson St., Ashland, VA 23005
Bob Junod, 752-2219
Bon Air, 3rd Tuesday, 2:00 pm
Bon Air Methodist Church
1645 Buford Rd., Room 202, N. Chesterfield, VA 23235
Nancy Lentz, 967-2586
Chesterfield, 1st Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Second Branch Baptist Church
12217 Second Branch Road, Chesterfield, VA 23838
Christina Dhir, 536-9229 & Barbara Harris, 651-0461
Chesterfield, 3rd Thursday, 7:00 pm
Lucy Corr Village
6800 Lucy Corr Court, Classroom, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Blanche Castelow, 748-5585 & Edith Byrnes, 271-4441
East End, 4th Saturday, 12:00 pm
First Union Baptist Church,
3510 Dill Road, Richmond, VA 23222
Jacki Page, 321-2573 & DeBora Holliday
Far West End, 1st Monday, 10:00 am
Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
11220 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Jessica Samet, 967-2580 & Linnea Beason, 869-2255
Far West End, 3rd Tuesday, 10:00 am
Lakewood Manor
1900 Lauderdale Drive, Henrico, VA 23238
Mary Ann Johnson, 967-2582 & Frank Schwall, 521-9274
Mechanicsville, 2nd Tuesday, 2:00 pm
New Highland Baptist Church
9200 Ashcake Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Rev. Bob Flemming, 550-9601
Mechanicsville, 2nd Wednesday, 9:30 am
Hanover Adult Day Center
7231 Stonewall Parkway, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Vivian Bagby, 321-1649 & Barbara Allen, 782-1942
Midlothian, 2nd Wednesday, 10:00 am
New Life United Methodist Church
900 Old Hundred Rd., Midlothian, VA 23114
Bob Schaefer, 310-7991 & Leigh Hilldrup, 839-0236
Midlothian, 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Brandermill Woods
14311 Brandermill Woods Trail, Midlothian, VA 23112
Merle Kahn, 967-2575
Tri-Cities Area
Hopewell, 1st Tuesday, 3:00 pm
River View on the Appomattox Nursing Home
201 Eppes Street, Hopewell, VA 23860, Conference Room
Blanche Castelow, 748-5585 & June Gilliam, 748-6668
Starting July 2 meetings will be held at:
First Baptist Church, Conference Room
|401 N. Second Avenue, Hopewell, VA 23860
Dinwiddie, 2nd Wednesday, 5:00 pm
Care Advantage
25801 Cox Road, Petersburg, VA 23803
Felicia Kelsey, 804-526-2359
Petersburg, 3rd Thursday, 11:30 am
Greenfield Reflections of Petersburg
590 Flank Rd., Petersburg, VA 23805
Family Conference Room - Lunch and respite provided.
Felicia Kelsey, 526-2359 & LaChelle Rouse, 861-4358
Colonial Heights, 4th Tuesday, 11:00 am
Care Advantage
3509 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834, Conference Room
Felicia Kelsey, 526-2359 & April Tate, 520-5454
Fredericksburg Area
Bowling Green, 2nd Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 pm
Bowling Green United Methodist Church
112 Main Street, Bowling Green, VA 22427
Jimy Edwards, 804-512-1628
Early Stage, 2nd Monday, 6:30-8:00 pm
For Caregivers and for Persons with Dementia
Call the Chapter Office for Information, 540-370-0835.
Fredericksburg, 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Carriage Hill Health & Rehabilitation Center
6106 Health Center Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Judy Scheibe, 540-898-1378
Fredericksburg, 3rd Tuesday, 1:30 pm
Homecare America,
2017 Plank Road (Westwood Shopping Ctr.), Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Lori Myers, 540-370-0835
Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck Area
Lancaster/Kilmarnock, 4th Thursday, 10:30 am
Commonwealth Assisted Living
460 S. Main St., Kilmarnock,VA 22482
Respite care available with reservation.
Ellie Galloway, 804-695-9382
Urbanna, 4th Thursday, 1:30 pm
Port Town Village Apts.
111 Port Town Lane, Urbanna, VA 23175
No respite available.
Barbara Swain, 804-758-2386
Gloucester, 2nd Wednesday, 10:30 am
Alzheimer's Association Office - DeHardit House
7335 Lewis Avenue, Gloucester, VA 23061
No respite available.
Ted Leonard, 804-642-9189
Gloucester, 3rd Thursday, 6:00 pm
Alzheimer's Association Office - DeHardit House
7335 Lewis Avenue, Gloucester, VA 23061
No respite available
Ellie Galloway, 804-695-9382
Warsaw, 2nd Tuesday, 10:30 am
The Orchard
2 Delfae Dr., Warsaw, VA 22572
Respite available with reservation.
Jill White, 804-313-2400
Mathews, 3rd Tuesday, 10:00 am
Central United Methodist Church
121 Church St., Mathews, VA 23109
No respite available.
There will be no Support Group Meeting on May 21.
Rev. Suzanne Gibson, 804-725-2832
West Point, 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
West Point Family YMCA
3135 King William Highway, West Point, VA 23181
Beth Miller, 804-843-3300
For Persons With Dementia, 1st Monday, 10:30 am
Call Ellie Galloway at Chapter Office for information, 804-695-9382.
