Caregiver Help and Support from the Alzheimer’s Association

November 9, 2015

(Alzheimer’s Association) Participation in a support group can be an empowering experience, helping members feel better prepared to cope with their unique situation. Support group members report feeling less alone, more able to confront their daily problems, and more hopeful about their future.

Support Groups and Memory Clubs and their facilitators are not to be contacted for commercial purposes, solicitation or visits from anyone who is not currently caring for someone with dementia. Researchers and college level students who wish to attend a group for purposes of study may submit requests to Debbie Richman, Vice President of Education and Outreach:

By phone: 952.857.0551
By email: [email protected]

Caregiver Support Groups

We have more than 120 support groups through Minnesota and North Dakota, which are free of charge and open to the general public and facilitated by trained professionals and community members. Our support groups are a safe place to learn, offer and receive helpful tips, and meet others coping with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.

We have many caregiver support groups, at various times and locations. Most groups are for all types of dementia caregivers, but there are also specific groups for spouses and partners, adult children, men, people caring for those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s and others.

Find a support group near you

Memory Clubs

In some areas, specially designed Memory Clubs are available for people withMild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early dementia and their care partners. Memory Club is designed to meet the needs of both the person with memory loss and a family member or friend. One half of each two hour session (total of 10 sessions) is devoted to topics that address the entire group, and the second hour is spent in private peer groups: one for people with memory loss and one for their partners.

The goals of the Memory Club are to provide a safe environment to learn more about the disease and to be able to share experiences and ask questions and an opportunity to develop friendships and talk with others about the experience of memory loss.

Screening and pre-registration is required for Memory Club. To register, contact the person listed under your location:

Minneapolis
Carol Ashwood, MSW, LGSW – Augustana
952.935.8143

St. Paul
Jennifer Finstad, MSW, LGSW – Wilder Foundation
651.280.2273

St. Cloud
Kate Selseth – Alzheimer’s Association
320.281.2932

St. Louis Park
Karen Gallagher, LISW – Park Nicollet Clinic
952.993.6506

Duluth
Jenna Herbig – Alzheimer’s Association
218.722.4335

If you have questions about Memory Club, contact Debbie Richman, Vice President of Education and Outreach:

By phone: 952.857.0551
By email: [email protected]

Meetup Groups for Caregivers

Younger Onset Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Connection

Do you know someone younger than 65 who has memory loss or has been diagnosed with MCI, Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder? Have you ever wished that you could connect with others in the same boat? Then this Meetup Group is for you. Join us for casual conversation.

Time and date: the third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m.
Location: Houlihan’s (6601 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN)

Learn more about the group and RSVP for events.

For more information, please contact Debbie Richman, vice president, education and outreach

By phone: 952.857.0551
By email: [email protected]

Meetup for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Early Dementia

Meetup is a program designed to build a safe and comfortable social meeting space, both virtually and in-person, for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early dementia. In-person social meetings occur once a month at various locations, which is determined by the group and then posted on the Meetup Group website.

Time, dates and group locations vary.

Meetup Groups:
Twin Cities
Duluth
Fargo/Moorhead
Rochester
St. Cloud

Connect with Others Online

ALZConnected® is an online social networking community for anyone impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Online message boards and chat rooms provide a safe place for people to connect with others in similar situations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at no charge.

Join the Alzheimer’s Association online community