Caring for a loved one with dementia can be rewarding, but it has its challenges. Knowing what to do after a dementia diagnosis can be daunting, and before you can take care of other people, you have to take care of yourself. Dementia caregiver support groups can help you connect with others in similar situations and receive additional support. It can be therapeutic to know that you aren’t alone and talk about improving your and your loved one’s quality of life. Here, we discuss several ways to participate in dementia caregiver support groups that fit your family’s needs and schedule so you can care for your loved one while receiving the support you need.
In-person dementia caregiver support groups
In-person support groups allow you to talk to like-minded people face-to-face, which can help you feel more connected to others going through the same difficult situation. These meetings may appeal to someone who likes to get out of the house and socialize. Caring for others, especially in a home setting, can be lonely for everyone involved. Getting out of the house to attend a meeting in person can help alleviate the feelings of isolation.
If you’re unsure how to find a local in-person dementia caregiver support group, you can start on the Alzheimer’s Association website, where you can search by your zip code to find a support group in your area. Trained individuals lead all groups. You can also search for local Alzheimer’s Association support groups using the Community Resource Finder.
Virtual or video conference meetings
While some prefer in-person support groups, others may benefit from virtual or video conference meetings. These online meetings occur on the telephone or via video conferencing apps like Zoom or Skype, which may be helpful to people with scheduling constraints or who cannot find an in-person support group in their area. Some conferences hold informative workshops and presentations to help you learn more about how to take better care of your loved one and yourself.
You can attend these support groups from the comfort of your own home. A virtual or video conference meeting is great for those seeking more information on how to improve care for themselves and their loved ones but who face time or geographical limitations.
The Alzheimer’s Association facilitates virtual support groups in addition to the in-person meetings mentioned above. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America also hosts regular telephone and Zoom meetings for caregivers and loved ones of those living with dementia.
Peer-to-peer dementia caregiver support groups
If you enjoy the feeling of community, a peer-to-peer support group may be for you. In peer-to-peer meetings, you gather with other individuals going through similar situations. A trained peer support specialist typically oversees these meetings, but the attendees run the meeting. Here, you will offer support to other caregivers and discuss personal experiences, struggles, and challenges.
Some meetings you might find via the sources above may be peer-to-peer groups. If this is your preference, check with the meeting you choose to see if it’s the right fit. The Family Caregiver Alliance also runs an unmoderated email-format support group for caregivers and loved ones of people living with dementia.
Professionally led meetings
Some people prefer a guided hand when it comes to support groups. When your support group is led by a professional, they can direct the conversation and offer insight. They are trained to offer compassion, build confidence, and provide guidance and information to the caregivers attending the meetings.
Professionally led meetings can also help connect the attendees to formal services, resources, and referrals if needed. The professional group leader can help resolve any conflict that may arise in the group and keep the group on track when discussing specific topics.
Some of the groups you might find using the above resources may be led by professionals. If you would prefer to attend dementia caregiver support groups led by professionals, you should check with the meeting host to see if it suits your needs.
Online communities and message board groups
Talking about your feelings can be difficult. Not everyone enjoys talking about their feelings aloud, whether in person or over video chat, and some may struggle to speak in front of large groups. Utilizing an online community or message board group can help even the shyest individuals reach out and gain support from a like-minded community.
An added benefit of an online community or message board is that you can talk, chat, and contribute on your own time. There is no designated meeting time, so you can add your experience, struggles, and challenges as little or as often as you like. You can do this anywhere at any time, as there is no need to be in a quiet, isolated location.
Memory People is a Facebook group that, while private, is open to anyone who would like to join. This group focuses on the reality of a dementia diagnosis and offers a space for support and advice for anyone affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia, including caregivers.
Support groups for caregivers of people with specific types of dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for the loss of cognitive abilities such as memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities. While many people can experience these symptoms from something as average as the aging process, there are more specific types of dementia that require advanced care, such as Lewy body dementia.
Specific types of dementia can come with their own sets of problems that other caregivers may not relate to. Finding a support group for your loved one’s specific type of dementia can help you feel seen and connected to others, as they will likely know more about what you’re going through than others.
You can search online to find a support group that focuses on specific types of dementia. For example, the Lewy Body Dementia Association allows you to search its website for local support groups for caregivers and loved ones of people with Lewy body dementia.
How to choose a dementia caregiver support group
It can be difficult to decide what type of support group to attend, especially when you have caregiving and other life responsibilities. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help determine which type of group is best for you:
- Can you attend meetings at a specific time each week or month? This will help determine whether a scheduled in-person, virtual, or phone support group can work for you. Remember that you may not have to attend every meeting, but your schedule may need to be reliable enough to attend as regularly as would benefit you. If not, consider message boards or groups on social media platforms, which allow for 24/7 access to support and messages.
- Do you thrive on talking face-to-face with people? An in-person support group could be helpful if you are a people person or want to get out of the house and into a different environment. If not, you may benefit just as well from virtual or message board groups.
- Would you prefer talking with people whose loved ones have the same type of dementia? If you feel you would get the most out of a support group of people who are dealing with caring for someone with the same type of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s or Lewy body, then you might want to look for a support group for those caregivers. Remember, though, that it’s not necessary: Dementia is a broad term for many types of conditions, so hearing different stories can be beneficial as well.
Finding a support group that can help you through this challenging time can be a great benefit to your mental health. Some caregivers may want a place to get tips and advice on coping with caregiving duties. Others may want to vent their frustrations. At the root of it all, if you’re looking for a support group, you likely want to feel less alone. Caregiving can be lonely, even when you have family members and health care providers around you. If you’re the primary caregiver, you may simply want to feel cared for yourself. In that case, realize that just about any support group you choose will help because it’s full of other caregivers who want the same connection.
