“Support groups are like lifelines — we’re around other people who are going through the same thing we are, and we know we’re not alone.” Kim Franklin
Do you wonder if support groups are right for you? Do you know how to find one that fits your needs? Are you feeling overwhelmed and isolated in your caregiving role?
We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned that support groups can be transformative resources on this journey. In this post, we’re sharing insights from Kim Franklin, Senior Program Manager with the Alzheimer’s Association, about how to find the right support group for you.
Support groups offer more than just information — they provide therapeutic spaces where caregivers can come together, share their frustrations, breathe, and hear from others in similar situations. Yet many caregivers resist joining groups, thinking they don’t have time, don’t need help, or feel caregiving is a private family matter that should be handled alone.
If you’re following along with the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap, this post supports Step Four, Find a support group. Let’s explore four essential tips for finding the right support group for your caregiving journey.
Tip 1: Start with What You Need Right Now
The first step is being intentional about identifying your current needs.
What are you looking for in a support group?
Consider these different types of support:
- Emotional support to help you process feelings and reduce stress.
- Practical advice for handling day-to-day caregiving challenges.
- Education about the disease and what to expect.
- Friendship with others who truly understand what you’re going through.
Your needs will evolve throughout your caregiving journey. In the beginning stages, when there’s still a lot of autonomy, you may be looking for education. In the messy middle when you’re asserting more control, emotional support often becomes crucial. In later stages when you’ve taken over the majority of the control, you may be looking for connections with others who understand what you’re going through.
Kim Franklin offers a great suggestion:
Write down your challenges and questions between support group meetings. This way, when you attend, you’ll remember all the things you wanted to share — or get help with — during those weeks in between.
Tip 2: Choose the Best Format for You
Support groups come in many different formats, and it’s important to explore your options:
In-Person Groups allow you to meet people face-to-face, develop relationships, and create connections you can call on in the future. We encourage you to try in-person meetings if you possibly can, especially in the beginning.
Virtual or Online Forums provide flexibility and accessibility. Both Nancy and her mother-in-law found tremendous value in online Facebook forums, discovering that many people were dealing with exactly the same issues they were facing. This realization that they weren’t alone was powerful.
Hybrid Options combine in-person and virtual attendance. Sue shared a great example:
There were two sisters — one lived in the town where their parent had the diagnosis, the other in a different state. They both attended the same hybrid meeting, one in person and one via Zoom. They could learn together, ask questions together, and share at the same level of understanding.
Concurrent Groups offer meetings for both caregivers and care receivers at the same time. This can be particularly helpful if you’re concerned about leaving your loved one alone while you attend your meeting.
Just as support group formats vary, support group meeting schedules vary. They are offered on different days, at different times. Some last an hour, some longer. Some groups meet once a month, some meet twice monthly, and some meet weekly. You can find meetings at different times of day and on different days of the week, including weekends. Later in this post, we share more detailed information about how to find meetings — whether local to you or virtual.
Tip 3: Explore Groups that Match Your Situation
Because all support groups are not the same, finding one that matches your specific situation can make all the difference in its value to you.
Diagnosis-Specific Groups are available for different types of dementia. While the Alzheimer’s Association serves all types of dementia, and has an event calendar that shows events around the country, you can also find groups specific to other types of dementia and other diagnoses. For example, organizations including the associations for Lewy body dementia and Frontotemporal dementia offer specialized support.
Specialized Caregiver Groups cater to specific demographics. Several examples include:
- Men only/Women only/adult children only/spouse only caregiver groups
- Groups for younger-onset diagnosis care partners
- Early-stage groups where those with the diagnosis can attend and interact
- Groups focused on specific caregiving stages.
Kim Franklin explains:
The Alzheimer’s Association Community Resource Finder is an excellent starting point. It lists Alzheimer’s Association groups and also support groups at churches, senior centers, and other community organizations. You can search by your location and diagnosis to see what’s available in your area.
Tip 4: Don’t Settle, But Don’t Give Up
The first support group you try may not be the perfect fit — and that’s okay. The key is not to give up after just one meeting.
Red Flags to Watch For:
- Constant negative sharing among group members that leaves you feeling drained.
- A leader who dominates the group, not giving members space to share.
- Feeling unfulfilled when you leave.
Positive Signs:
- Balanced sharing among members.
- Practical, focused discussions.
- Members who are a few steps ahead in their journey, offering guidance on what’s to come.
- A facilitator who creates space for everyone.
- Leaving meetings feeling supported and less alone.
Try two or three different meetings before deciding a support group isn’t for you. Attend different formats — hybrid, virtual, and in-person. Try different days of the week and times of day.
Here’s a helpful strategy: Ask other support group members for recommendations. When Sue attended a group that wasn’t meeting her needs for her dad’s care, she asked the group, “What other groups have you gone to that have been helpful?” The members guided her to a different group that was a better fit.
Keep in mind that you have permission to change groups as your needs evolve. As your loved one’s disease progresses, you may need different kinds of support. You’re also encouraged to attend more than one group — many caregivers do this to surround themselves with different caregivers, finding they benefit from multiple facilitators and perspectives.
Take Action: Support Groups as Self-Care
If you haven’t yet tried a support group, consider committing this month to looking for one. Keep in mind that attending a support group isn’t just about learning how to care for your loved one — it’s also a form of self-care. You’re taking care of yourself while learning valuable information and building connections with others who understand.
Resources to Get Started:
- Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline: 800–272–3900. Masters-level counselors can help with crisis intervention, finding resources including support groups, and they offer interpretation in over 200 languages.
- Community Resource Finder: Visit the Alzheimer’s Association website and enter your zip code to find support groups and other services in your community.
- The Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free.
Support groups truly are lifelines on our caregiving journeys. They remind us that we’re not alone, connect us with others who understand, provide the practical and emotional support we need to keep going, and also to remind us to care for ourselves along the way.
You don’t have to navigate this journey in isolation. We encourage you to take that first step and explore what support groups might offer you.
How have you worked with support groups? What kinds of meetings have you found most valuable for you? Share your experiences in the comments below or on our Facebook or Instagram pages.
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