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Get the emotional support you need
We have many support groups, at various times and locations. Check below 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.
Early Stage Education & Support Classes
The purpose of the Early Stage Education and Support Program is to provide a safe and supportive environment of peers who are living in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia and their care partners. This program offers dementia-related education, emotional support, and connections with resources so that the members may enhance their lives in the midst of the disease.
The program is led by qualified facilitators and each person participating is encouraged to enhance their lives by developing problem-solving and coping skills, establishing a support system, maintaining physical and emotional health, and planning for the future.
Classes held on Tuesday's from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, at the Alzheimer's Association, 1630 W Elfindale, Springfield, MO
February 7 Introduction/Overview
Week one focuses on introductions and getting to know the group and its members. Significant time will be devoted to introductions and learning more about each member, including personal histories and stories of getting diagnosed.
February 14 Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Loss
In week two, the topic is “Aging, Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. There is quite a bit of material to help families and a person with dementia understand the disease and its effect on the brain.
February 21 Partnering With Your Doctor / Effictive Communication
Developing a working relationship with your doctor is a very important part of managing your illness. It can take some time. However, it is very important that your doctor gets to know you
February 28 Telling Others About The Diagnosis: Family and Friends
When you learn that you have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, you may not believe it, or you may feel overwhelmed, confused or angry. You may be hesitant to tell your family and friends about your diagnosis due to concerns about how they will react. You may not want sympathy or help, but you may want the people that you are close to know because you care about them.
March 6 Legal and Financial Issues / Playing It Safe
There are a number of legal and financial documents that will help you formalize you plans and wishes. Taking the time to put these documents in place now will be a big help to you and your family in the future. Playing it Safe will cover topics such as “At Home and Away” and “To Drive or Not To Drive”.
March 13 Daily Strategies
Alzheimer’s disease affects different parts of your brain so, although you may not clearly remember things from your past, you may not remember recent events or schedules. This topic will cover several strategies for coping with Alzheimer’s
March 20 Coping With Changes / Opportunities For Supporting Research
You are learning about your disease and about what you can and cannot do. You may feel worried, angry or sad. In this class we will talk about these feelings, how to cope with them, and knowing that these feelings are normal. This session will also talk about the Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch. This is a few service that makes it easy for people with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, families and physicians to locate clinical trials based on personal criteria and location. Right now, more than 100 research studies pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are underway and recruiting volunteers.
March 27 End of Group Issues and Staying Connected
Recapping the events of the previous weeks, sharing experiences, discussing challenges and solutions. Stigma associated with a diagnosis Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is a topic of particular interest to people in early stages. Stigma can be the reason why some people delay getting an evaluation by a medical professional. Raising awareness reduces stigma and engages others to raise funds and change public policy.
If you have Alzheimer's--
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 listed by county
*Our chapter is currently in need of support groups in the counties of Barry, Barton, Carter, Christian, Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Ripley, Shannon, Texas and Wright. If you are interested in becoming a support group facilitator please contact Rob Hulstra at 800-272-3900 or rob.hulstra@alz.org
Cedar
Lake Stockton Nursing Center Deborah Stockton
818 Owen Mill Stockton
(417) 276-5126 4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Dallas
Colonial Springs Lori Cunningham
750 W. Cooper Buffalo
(417) 345-2228 1st Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. at facility
Greene
Early Stage Education & Support Classes Rob Hulstra
Alzheimer's Association, 1630 W Elfindale, Springfield
800-272-3900
Classes held on Tuesday's from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
Tuesday, October 4 through Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Christian Healthcare West Amy Yoss
3403 W. Mt. Vernon Springfield
(417) 864-5600 Last Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m.
Cox Alzheimer's Support Judee Steward
1000 E. Walnut Lawn Springfield
(417) 269-3616 2nd Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Respite Care provided - call ahead to arrange for respite.
Manor Care Dawn Hendrycks
2915 S. Fremont in the Assisted Living Dining Room Springfield (417) 883 4022 4th Tuesday of the month2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (with dessert) & at 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (with dessert)
Maranatha Village Chaplain Steve Anoa'i
233 E. Norton Road Springfield
(417) 833-0016 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at facility
Mercy Villa Ann Payette & Pat Auston
1100 E. Montclair Springfield
(417) 820-8500 3rd Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. at facility. Respite provided
The Gardens Amy Brake
1302 W. Sunset Springfield
(417) 881-1330 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Willard First Baptist Church Betty Thomas
202 W. Jackson Willard
(417) 742-3333 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the church. Respite care provided.
Hickory
First Baptist Church Codeen Howell
NW corner of Square (Activity Building) Hermitage
(417) 745-6490 2nd Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m.
Howell
Riverways Adult Day Care LaDonna Caraway
418 E. Main West Plains
(417) 255-2965 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the facility
Crossway Fellowship Kathy Wagner & Rosetta Ogle
220 Drew Willow Springs
(417) 469-3152 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
JasperFreeman Hospital Health Karen Laster
932 E. 34th Joplin
(417) 347-4478 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Laclede
Lebanon - Laclede Library Art Ballantine
915 N Jefferson Lebanon
(417) 532-2176 2nd Tuesday of the month 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
LawrenceAurora Nursing Center Sandy Brown
1700 S. Hudson Aurora
(417) 678-2165 Last Wednesday of the month at 2:00 p.m.
McDonald
Golden LivingCenter-McDonald Jennifer Middleton
1000 Patterson Anderson
(417) 845-3351 4th Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
NewtonMedicalodge of Neosho Teresa Williams
400 S Lyon Neosho
(417) 451-2544 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Polk
CMH Alzheimer's Support Group Michelle Redd, Donna Griffin, Jeff Ziglar
1500 N Oakland Bolivar
(417) 328-6305 - Michelle, (417) 328-6295 - Donna, (417) 326-6000 - Jeff
2nd Thursday of the month at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm in the Community Room
Pulaski
Alzheimer’s Support Group - Waynesville Senior Citizens Center Christie Dillon
1401 Ousley Waynesville
(573) 774 5323 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Alzheimer's Support Group - Waynesville United Methodist Church Nanci Dillon
301 Hwy T. Waynesville
(573) 774 5323 4th Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m.
Stone
Ozark Mountain Regional Craig Alsup
509 Meadowlark Crane
(417) 723-5281 Last Friday of the month at 11:00 a.m. Light lunch provided.
Tablerock Healthcare Vicki Giauque276 Fountain Lane Kimberling City
(417) 739-2481 2nd Thursday of the month at 2:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 5 Hilltop Dr.
Taney
Skaggs Community Health Vicky Giauque
N. Bus. 65 & Skaggs (Dogwood Room) Branson
(417) 334-4105 4th Tuesday of the month at 4:15 p.m.
VernonBarone Alzheimer's Disease Nancy Malcom
2101 N. Ash Nevada
(417) 448-3999 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Webster
Caregivers Time Out - Marshfield Place Martha Myers & Kay Jones
820 S White Oak Marshfield
(417) 859-6133 1st Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy The Moment Phyllis Dixon & Carolyn Rainey
Rogersville Area Senior Center 101 N. Mill St Rogersville
(417) 889-8613 or (417) 753-7800 2nd Friday of the month at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Webco Manor Teresa Bennett & Audrey Grobe
1687 W Washington Marshfield
(417) 859-5144 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
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