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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 your 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-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
Richmond Area
Adult Children, 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Bon Air Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Rd., Room 202
Lynda Gormus, 320-0619
Early Stage, 4th Thursday, 1:30 pm
Call the Chapter Office for information, 967-2580
Northside, 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
HCR – Manor Care, 2125 Hilliard Road
Jodi Teitelman, 828-2219 & Bev Koerin, 740-2616
East End, 4th Saturday, 12:00 pm
First Union Baptist Church, 3510 Dill Road
Jacki Page, 321-2573
Mechanicsville, 4th Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Please note – new location
Covenant Woods, 7090 Covenant Woods Dr.
Peggy Nieder, 662-9117
West End, 4th Monday, 7:00 pm
Spring Arbor of Richmond, 9991 Ridgefield Parkway
Katie Benghauser, 827-1903 & Linda Godsey Stanley, 501-4013
Far West End, 1st Monday, 10:00 am
Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 11220 Nuckols Road
Jessica Samet, 321-0066
Southside, 2nd Saturday, 2:00 pm
V.A. Hosp., Nursing Home Dining Rm, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd.
Vivian Bagby, 321-1649
Southside, 3rd Tuesday, 2:00 pm
Bon Air Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Rd., Room 202
Mary Ann Johnson, 967-2582 & Nancy Lentz, 967-2586
Midlothian, 2nd Wednesday, 10:00 am
New Life United Methodist Church, 900 Old Hundred Rd.
Bridget Soyars, 967-2583
Brandermill, 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Brandermill Woods Ret. Ctr., 14311 Brandermill Woods Trl.
Bob Schaefer, 310-7991
Chesterfield, 3rd Thursday, 7:00 pm
Lucy Corr Village, 6800 Lucy Corr Ct., Classroom
Blanche Castelow, 748-5585 & Rebecca Lee, 748-1511
Ashland, 1st Tuesday, 7:00 pm
First Baptist Church, 800 Thompson Street
Nancy Schloemer, 798-7038
Powhatan, 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Manakin Episcopal Church, 985 Huguenot Trail, Midlothian
Leanne Beorn, 794-5511
Early-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.
Tri-Cities Area
Hopewell, 1st Tuesday, 3:00 pm
Conference Room, Riverview on the Appomattox Nursing Home
201 Eppes Street
June Gilliam, 748-6668 & Blanche Castelow, 748-5585
Petersburg, 3rd Thursday, 6:00 pm
Eden Pines, 550 Flank Road
Judy Tyree, 526-2359
Colonial Heights, 4th Thursday, 10:30 am
Chapter Office, 201 Temple Ave., Ste. E
Judy Tyree, 526-2359
Early Stage, 2nd Thursday, 11:30 am
Second Baptist Church, 3355 Johnson Road
Judy Tyree, 526-2359
Fredericksburg Area
Fredericksburg, 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Carriage Hill Nursing Home, 6106 Health Center Lane
Natalie Kessel, 540-785-1114 & Judy Scheibe, 540-370-0835
Fredericksburg, 3rd Tuesday, 1:30 pm
Homecare America, 2017 Plank Rd., (Westwood Shopping Ctr.)
Judy Scheibe, 540-370-0835
Colonial Beach, 3rd Thursday, 7:00 pm
Cooper Library, 20 Washington Avenue
Bucky Doerr (Call the Fredericksburg Office at 370-0835 for information.)
Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck Area
Lancaster/Irvington, 4th Thursday, 10:30 am
Rappahannock Westminster Canterbury, Irvington
Barbara Swain, 804-758-2386
Middlesex County/Urbanna, 4th Thursday, 1:30 pm
Bay Aging, Port Town Village Apts., 111 Port Town Lane (community room), Urbanna
Barbara Swain, 804-758-2386
Gloucester, 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 pm
Gloucester House, 7657 Meredith Drive
Clare Vergara, 804-693-3116, Sharon Smith 804-695-9382
Warsaw, 3rd Tuesday, 1:00 pm (Respite Care Available)
The Orchard, Community Room, 62 Delfae Drive
Robin Thompson, 804-313-2400
Ladies Caregiver’s Support Group, 3rd Monday, 11:15 am
Gloucester House, 7657 Meredith Dr., Sun Roon
Respite care available during meeting - call 804-695-9382
Alta Miller, 804-758-2884
