Learn New Dementia/alzheimer Caregiving And Coping Techniques
A caregiver support group is made of up individuals at many different stages along the caregiving timeline. For this reason, a support group meeting is a beneficial time to learn and swap not only tried-and-tested caregiving advice, but coping techniques for yourself as well. Whether its learning tips or tricks to help get your loved one to eat, the best brain games to play with Alzheimers sufferers, or breathing techniques to use when youre feeling frustrated, you get the chance to learn something new every time your chat with a fellow caregiver.
Status Of Support Groups
We are offering support group sessions in-person and online. We will continue to practice safe social distancing precautions in accordance with the Orange County Department of Public Health.
If you are a family caregiver or a friend of a person with dementia, this informal discussion offer resources for problem solving, educational information, as well as emotional support. It is a place to share experiences and feelings and hear from others in similar situations. You are not alone on this journey. Come as you are and meet other caregivers with related concerns.
To learn more or if youre interested joining one of our support groups, contact Kathy Carchidi.
Phone:
If you are in need of additional support, would like to learn more about the services and resources we provide or need someone to talk to, please call our Helpline at 844-373-4400.
ATTENTION: We are looking for dedicated and compassionate individuals to become a trained facilitator for our family caregiver support groups. We are in need of additional facilitators near: Buena Park, Rancho Santa Margarita and Yorba Linda.
YOUNG ADULT SUPPORT GROUPS NOW AVAILABLE: Connect with other young caregivers like you, exchange support conversation and explore helpful topics. Learn more here.
Virtual Care Partner Support Groups
We are offering virtual caregiver support groups to help connect people with others living in a similar situation during these uncertain times and to ensure that families continue to have access to support and information.
When are the support groups?
We invite you to register for the support group that works best for your schedule regardless of your location. To register, please forward an email including:
- Contact information
- Date/time of group you are interested in attending
Our Alzheimer Society of Manitoba staff and volunteer facilitators are located throughout the province and look forward to meeting with you.
- First Monday of the month, from 7 to 8:30 pm*This support group is geared towards adult children caring for a parent living with dementia.**Due to Labour Day Weekend, this support group has moved to the second Monday of the month, September 12th*
- *Registration for this session is closed!*
How do I join?
After you register, the support group facilitator will send a meeting invitation via email. This will include a link that will connect you directly to the meeting, including a Meeting ID code and password. A few minutes prior to the time of the scheduled support group meeting, you may log in by using the link provided and by following the prompts on the screen.
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American Parkinsons Disease Association
Key Specs
- Membership fee: Free
- Structure: In-person and online support groups, fitness classes
- Details: Offers a network of local chapters and virtual events, resources created specifically for veterans and first responders, and fitness and dance classes on YouTube and via Zoom.
- Things to consider: There are minimal fees for some classes.
The American Parkinsons Disease Association provides a variety of support groups and resources for Parkinsons disease patients and their family members and caregivers, everything from a support forum called Smart Patients to an Ask the Doctor section aimed at answering any question or concern you may have.
The APDA offers a nationwide search page to find local, in-person support group meetings for Parkinsons patients and their caregivers. Fitness classes for people with Parkinsons are available nationwide and, although there’s a fee involved, the APDA can help those who need financial assistance.
There are also resources for those with early-onset Parkinsons, veterans with Parkinsons, Spanish speakers, and more.
Alzheimers Tennessee Caregiver Support Groups Meeting In
ANDERSON COUNTY
Keystone Adult Day Program, First United Methodist Church – meeting on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Contact support group facilitator Phyllis Spangler 483-6631 for more information.
St. Marys Church, Oak Ridge, Wardell Youth Building meeting on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 10am. Contact support group facilitator Diane Wright 482-2875 or Gail Hug for more information.
CARTER COUNTY
First Presbyterian Church, 119 W F St., Elizabethton – meeting on the 3rd Monday of the month at 12pm. Contact support group facilitator Tracey Kendall Wilson 232-8993 for more information. *New location
COFFEE COUNTY
Bailey Manor, Manchester – meeting on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 5pm. Contact support group facilitator Fran Gray 434-2348 for more information.
Brookdale Tullahoma – meeting on the 1st Tuesday at 5pm. Contact support group facilitator Fran Gray 434-2348 for more information.
Morning Pointe of Tullahoma – meeting on the 1st Wednesday of the month at noon. Contact support group facilitator Fran Gray 434-2348 for more information and to RSVP for lunch.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
First Baptist Church, Fairfield Glade – meeting in the Fellowship Hall on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 11am. Contact support group facilitators Margaret Brant 337-9630 and Tara Mayo for more information.
DAVIDSON COUNTY
GREENE COUNTY
HAMBLEN COUNTY
HARDIN COUNTY
HAWKINS COUNTY
KNOX COUNTY
LOUDON COUNTY
MADISON COUNTY
MAURY COUNTY
MONROE COUNTY
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Caregivers Of Alzheimers And Dementia Support Chat Group
Jean OConnor, who was looking for a community for caregivers as she cared for her father with dementia, founded this Facebook support group, which now has over 9,600 members. People with dementias family members, caregivers, and friends can request to join the group to share their experiences and learn from one another. Medication management, hospice care, and treatment alternatives are among the subjects discussed in the support chat group.
How To Start An Alzheimers Support Group
Despite the numerous Alzheimers support group options available, you may not have found the right fit, or a group might not exist in your own area yet.
You have a few different options for starting an in-person Alzheimers support group. For a small monthly fee, you can start a Meetup group and post events to meet others in your area. You may also want to consider posting ads in your local community center, church, or newspaper.
To start an online Alzheimers support group, also consider the free tools offered by Facebook groups. You can host conversations and moderate comments for community safety. Learn more here.
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Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group
Our support groups, led by our mental health therapists, provide caregivers with the opportunity to discuss caregiving challenges, share their feelings, and gain emotional support. Talking with people who are going through similar situations and who truly understand will help you feel less alone as you confront the many challenges of caregiving.
Our goal is to provide a safe setting that promotes mutual support, both practical and emotional, throughout the course of the disease.
Lewy Body Dementia Association
Key Specs
- Membership fee: Most groups are free, some may collect voluntary donations
- Structure:Online, phone, video conferencing
- Details: Offers support groups specifically for spouses and has active Facebook support groups.
- Things to consider: Support groups are not available in all states
Lewy Body Dementia is a condition involving abnormal protein deposits in the brain called Lewy bodies. These deposits affect brain chemical levels, which may result in abnormal thinking, movement, and behavior, as well as mood disorders.
Lewy Body Dementia Association offers several types of virtual groups, internet discussion forums, and more. Its offers virtual, meetings for anyone living with LBDeven those who are not yet diagnosed but are seeking information.
If you’re seeking a combined support group for people diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and their care partners, Living Together with Lewy is another Facebook group that is available. This one aims to help those who are newly diagnosed, people with early symptoms of the condition, and others who are seeking advice around a possible diagnosis.
LBDA also offers an online support group if you have a spouse with Parkinsons disease dementia or Lewy body dementia : LBD Caring Spouses.
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Emotional Support Groups For Alzheimers
Caregivers take on tremendous responsibilities that can easily overwhelm them. Ongoing anxiety, guilt and sleeplessness can lead to problems with physical health. You may eventually withdraw from friends and social activities and soon find yourself feeling alone, depressed and exhausted.
The National Alliance for Caregiving indicates that more than 65 million Americans care for a chronically disabled, ill or senior family member or friend. Those caregivers provide an average of 20 hours of care per week, often while still managing a full-time job and caring for their family.
Finding a support group to share stories with, seek advice from and simply have available to listen to you on a regular basis can help lower caregiver stress and alleviate the health risks that caregivers face. Plus, support groups have information on community resources for adult day care services, Alzheimers education and other programs that can ease some of the workload.
About Alzheimers San Diego Support Groups
- Groups are emotionally-focused.
- Members are encouraged to attend as many meetings and groups as they like to feel best supported.
- Meetings are offered 7 days a week, at various times and are 100% confidential.
- Groups are flexible. Feel free to attend when you can.
- Groups are always FREE!
- Be respectful and kind to your fellow members.
- Give everyone a chance to talk.
- Support each other by sharing your experiences and your feelings.
- Speak in reference to yourself. For example: In my experience or I feel
- What you hear and discuss is to be kept in confidence.
- For virtual groups: Please keep your microphone on mute unless you are speaking to avoid distracting background noise. Try to log in a few minutes early to test your connection.
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Veteran’s Administration Caregiver Support
If you are caring for a family member who is a veteran, the VA Caregiver Support Line is a resource you can call at 1-855-260-3274 if you need information or more information about local support services. You can also access the online forum, Caregiver Connections where you can meet other caregivers who can offer support and advice.
Alzheimers And Dementia Caregivers Support Chat Group
With nearly 10,000 members, this Facebook group is run by Jean OConnor, who cared for her father with Alzheimers until he passed away recently. While caring for my dad, I realized I was spending a lot of time doing research and making sure everything was done that needed to be done for him. After reading members questions in my group, I now realize that a lot of the information I learned may be helpful to someone else too, she writes.
Members post questions about topics like hospice care, interacting with doctors or nurses, medication or coping with feelings of guilt. They also share photos of their loved ones and posts asking for support when a sick loved one is in the hospital. The admins emphasize that although they run a support group, it is also a chat group where caregivers are welcome to discuss topics that do not solely focus on Alzheimers and are encouraged to acknowledge that sometimes, humor is a great medication for a caregiver.
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The Purple Sherpa Basecamp
Founded by Alzheimers caregiver Julie Fleming, The Purple Sherpa Basecamp is a Facebook group with nearly 5,000 members for those who want to discuss what theyve learned as care-partners, to vent and support one another, and to break the silence that leaves so many caregivers feeling alone. In addition to the Facebook group, caregivers can join nearly 71,000 followers on The Purple Sherpa Facebook page or visit Flemings website.
Fleming, who lost her father to Alzheimers, became his primary caregiver nearly a decade ago. After a trip to the ICU, Daddys doctor gave us the diagnosis, a prescription for Aricept, and a request to return in six months, she writes. Fleming felt as if she was given no concrete advice on how to be a caregiver. She adds that although people who suggest caregivers take a bubble bath or weekend getaway mean well, the advice is impractical for most caregivers, who often do not get even ten minutes to themselves. While caring for her father, she grappled with difficult emotions, including grieving the living.What does it say that I feel relief about the death of my beloved father? It feels monstrous, but it says that I saw his suffering, that with deep empathy I felt that suffering over a period of years, and that I am grateful that he was spared more suffering, she writes.
How Support Groups Work
Many people ranging from caregivers to friends and family of people with Alzheimers disease find support groups to be a wonderful source of information, encouragement, and inspiration. In addition, those who have been recently diagnosed with dementia or are in the early stages of the disease find support groups helpful. With the advancement of technology there is more, easy access to support groups. They can be accessed in-person, virtually or on-line.
In-Person
Virtual
This is a hybrid model that mirrors in-person format. Done virtually, meetings are held on platforms like zoom. Meetings are held with moderators leading in a discussion that could be question based or lead from an email chain. While face-to-face support can be beneficial, this option is easily accessible only requiring internet. One can gain the same benefits of help and compassion but done easily without having to leave the house. This is an accessible tool that can easily offer support for someone who has less time, difficulty with transportation or wants a support group that they can attend from the comfort of their home.
Online
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A Note On Support Groups In General
Support groups are a great way to develop a social network of people going through similar experiences connections through shared experiences are beneficial for a variety of reasons. They validate our experience, make us feel seen, and heard.
Some support groups are led by trained professionals, while others are facilitated by peers who have been trained in support group dynamics and facilitation. Depending on what a person may be looking for, one is not necessarily better than the other.
Volunteer As A Support Group Facilitator
Become an Alzheimers Orange County trained support group facilitator and provide much needed support for families directly affected by dementia. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer facilitator, please contact Kathy Carchidi at or 949.757.3758.
Direct solicitation of support group facilitators and members to promote specific interests is not permitted .
Please contact Kathy Carchidi with all inquiries at 949-757-3758.
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Finding An Alzheimers Support Group
The first step in finding an Alzheimer’s support group is to scout out some of the resources that are currently available. While support groups were often limited to in-person, local meetings in the past, the coronavirus pandemic played a role in increasing online access to virtual support groups, including those devoted to Alzheimer’s disease.
The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to grow in upcoming years. This will lead to an increased demand for support groups for both people living with Alzheimer’s and the people caring for them.
There are a number of places where you might begin your search for an Alzheimer’s support group. If you are interested in finding a group in your local community, start by talking to your doctor or therapist for tips. They may be able to connect you with supportive resources in your community. Other places where you can search locally include a social worker affiliated with a hospital, outpatient psychotherapy centers, faith organizations, and aging agencies and services in your area.
In addition to looking in your local community, there are also Alzheimers disease and caregiver organizations that offer online and in-person support groups, including the following:
Ucsf Memory And Aging Center Clinic
Younger-onset Alzheimers disease is a rare form of the illness. It involves a type of dementia that impacts people under the age of 65.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately up to 5% of people with Alzheimers disease develop symptoms before age 65. This indicates that approximately 250,000 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the younger-onset form of AD.
If you live in the San Francisco area, however, theres a local community sponsored by the UCSF Memory and Aging Center Clinic. It was created specifically for those who have been diagnosed with young-onset AD and their caregiver or spouse/significant other. For group members to qualify, they must: be in the mild or early stage of Alzheimers disease, have been diagnosed before age 65, or have a significant other or caregiver who will participate in the group.
It is free to join and participate in, meets bi-monthly, and offers education on Alzheimers disease and new research developments. The community aims to provide support and validation for the struggles the families are going through, while also teaching coping skills and discussing emotional challenges.
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Get Out And Socialize
Human beings are social creatures. When youre busy attending to the day-to-day needs of your loved one, you may find yourself feeling isolated from friends or family. Joining a caregiver support group gives you a regular time each week dedicated to outside human interaction. Whether you join a support group virtually or in person, you get the opportunity to build your social network and connect with new friends you can reach out to the next time youre in a pinch for advice, venting, or companionship.