Support Groups

The purpose of a support group is to provide an opportunity for persons with dementia to meet regularly for mutual emotional support and to exchange coping skills with one another in matters relating to dementia in a safe supportive environment.

The Alzheimer's Association offers the following support groups for people with dementia:

Early Stage Support Group - A six-session program especially designed to meet the need for support and education for both the person in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and their care partners.

Ongoing Monthly Support Groups - Offers an opportunity for persons with dementia to talk and share their experiences. Participants develop methods and skills to solve problems associated with the disease by learning from others with dementia.

Telephone & Online Support Options:

Careline - Offers a telephone support link between dedicated volunteers and persons who need a good listener and who may not be able to get to a support group meeting or may need additional support.

Email Connections - Designed to reduce the isolation and loneliness often experienced by those with Early-Onset and to address the unique needs of families and individuals by linking them with other individuals and families nationwide via email.

24/7 Online Support Community - Provides anonymous online chat rooms and message boards for people with Alzheimer’s disease, their care partners and professional caregivers. There is no sign up required or personal data captured. To take part in this online community, go to www.alz.org/messageboards.

Supportive Activities

Memories in the Making - Offers art as a means to enhance communication, increase self-esteem and to provide sensory stimulation for participants with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

Just Friends Social Club - Provides people in the early stages of dementia and a family member or friend an opportunity to socialize within a safe and nurturing environment with others. The Club offers a series of six sessions and provides a variety of activities and social events on and off site, social interaction, a catered dinner, transportation and companionship as needed.

Support Through Active Reminiscence (STAR) - Provides those in the middle stage of dementia a welcoming environment where they are free to share both memories of the past and feelings about the present and future related to their diagnosis.

Advocacy -“Voices” is a group that meets quarterly to discuss issues pertinent to people with dementia and to bring awareness of these issues to the general public and to our political officials.

Education

Seminar for Persons with a New Diagnosis and Their Care Partner: An educational opportunity for those with dementia and their family to learn together about the disease and bring awareness about decisions for the future. Offered twice each year.

Other Supports

Counseling - Designed to assist people with dementia and their families in planning for, and dealing with changes experienced throughout the disease process.

MedicAlert + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return® - A nationwide identification, support and enrollment program working at a community level. The program provides assistance whether a person becomes lost locally or far from home. Assistance is available 24 hours, every day, whenever a person is lost or found.

Memory Boxes - Used as an interactive tool for reminiscence. They can be borrowed from the Marie C. and Joseph C. Wilson Resource Library with a $20 deposit.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.

Updated October 2008