When a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is often a sense of confusion. Many people wonder what to do next. There may be unanswered questions and uncertainty about the future. Seeking support from others who are living with AD can help.Many support groups offer an educational component to address the questions that people who are newly diagnosed may have. Support group members often give each other tips on how to manage the various challenges that arise. Not only can Alzheimer’s support groups provide information, but studies have shown that they can help reduce depression and improve the quality of life and self-esteem for people with AD who have mild cognitive impairment (early stage Alzheimer’s), as well as those with severe dementia in the later stages of the disease.Finding the right support group can help people bridge the gap between the initial shock of learning they have Alzheimer’s disease, knowing what to expect, and, eventually, accepting a diagnosis so they can lead a meaningful life. But there are many variables to note during this search: Communities are offered online or in-person, in a variety of venues, and each option has its own benefits and drawbacks. There is no right answer when it comes to which group is best; in the end, it’s the group that works for you that really matters.

When a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is often a sense of confusion. Many people wonder what to do next. There may be unanswered questions and uncertainty about the future. Seeking support from others who are living with AD can help.

Many support groups offer an educational component to address the questions that people who are newly diagnosed may have. Support group members often give each other tips on how to manage the various challenges that arise. Not only can Alzheimer’s support groups provide information, but studies have shown that they can help reduce depression and improve the quality of life and self-esteem for people with AD who have mild cognitive impairment (early stage Alzheimer’s), as well as those with severe dementia in the later stages of the disease.

Finding the right support group can help people bridge the gap between the initial shock of learning they have Alzheimer’s disease, knowing what to expect, and, eventually, accepting a diagnosis so they can lead a meaningful life. But there are many variables to note during this search: Communities are offered online or in-person, in a variety of venues, and each option has its own benefits and drawbacks. There is no right answer when it comes to which group is best; in the end, it’s the group that works for you that really matters.

The Alzheimer’s Association

TheAlzheimer’s Associationis a national nonprofit that helps organize many different types of support groups, including online and face-to-face groups that meet across the country.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers an early-stage,social engagementprogram to help people feel comfortable about meeting and interacting with people. The group engages in activities such as bowling, baseball games, and more.

Participants of the early-stage social engagement groups are encouraged to speak on the phone; they can chat with someone who is also living with AD confidentially, connect with others who can answer their questions, and provide encouragement and inspiration.

The Alzheimer’s Association addresses the needs of people with all types of dementia, not just Alzheimer’s disease.

Memory Cafe - Dementia Society of America

One common memory problem associated with Alzheimer’s disease is calledmild cognitive impairment (MCI), which involves memory problems that are not yet so severe that they interfere with daily life. It is a stage of cognitive decline that is worse than normal aging, but not yet as severe as Alzheimer’s dementia.

Not only do people with dementia or MCI (and other memory problems) benefit from Memory Cafes, but caregivers can participate in the activities as well. It’s a great way to socialize, find enjoyment, and add group interaction into a routine.

Dementia Mentors

Many support groups are structured for those in the early stages of the disease because that’s when people usually function at their highest level. But there is an online support group offered nationwide that includes those battling Alzheimer’s dementia, which becomes more sever in the late stage of the condition.

Dementia Mentorsprovides a platform for people living with dementia of all types, including Alzheimer’s disease. Support is offered via educational videos that chronicle what it’s like to live with dementia.

The website offers a free mentorship program for people with the disease. The mentors are all volunteers who have dementia themselves.

To request a mentoring session, users will need to fill out an online form about the dementia-related illness they have and where they live. Next, Dementia Mentors will match them with a mentor who also has Alzheimer’s disease, and send a link that will open an online video chat window.

Dementia Mentors also offersVirtual Memory Cafes, which are online groups for socializing and sharing information or experiences. Ten to twelve of these cafes are available each week to serve people in various time zones.

Group members and participants are free to discuss their Alzheimer’s disease battle, ask questions, give each other tips, and share stories. The primary goal of the organization is to simply provide a way for people living with dementia to make social connections and support one another.

UCSF Memory and Aging Center Clinic

Younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease, also referred to as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (different from early-stage Alzheimer’s) is a rare form of the illness. It involves a type of dementia that impacts people under the age of 65.

According to research, up to 6% of people with AD develop symptoms before age 65. This indicates that approximately 350,000 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the younger-onset form of AD.

It is free to join and participate in, meets bi-monthly, and offers education on Alzheimer’s 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.

Well Spouse Association

TheWell Spouse Associationoffers free nationwide support groups forspouses and partnersof people who have disabilities or long-term illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The nonprofit coordinates a national network of support groups and does everything from facilitating a mentor program to publishing a newsletter to keep people informed. Its website offers resources for coping and survival skills, which includes a chat forum for spousal caregivers.

The Well Spouse Association also provides continuing support for members whose spouses have died, advocates on behalf of caregivers, and is always looking for new tools to help caregiver spouses and their families cope with the emotional and financial stresses associated with chronic illness and/or disability.

The service offers recreational activities to give group participants much-needed respite opportunities because breaks are important for caregivers. There arerespite weekend activities,but the fee varies, depending on the location.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)

Alzheimer’s and dementiacaregiversoften find it difficult to attend in-person support group meetings due to their busy caregiving obligations. Knowing this, theAlzheimer’s Foundation of America(AFA) offers free, telephone-based support meetings on a weekly basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alzheimer’s support groups are meetings that occur either online, via live video chat platforms (such as Zoom), or in-person at various locations around the country. They are aimed at providing a place for people to share experiences, get and give important information, and become educated about Alzheimer’s disease while interacting with others.

Everyone is different. Some people are very comfortable sharing openly with others in a group setting, while others may feel a lot of anxiety around the idea.

All support groups on this list are free.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Leung P, Orrell M, Orgeta V.Social support group interventions in people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review of the literature.Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015;30(1):1‐9. doi:10.1002/gps.4166Alzheimer’s Association.Mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Alzheimer’s Association.Stages of Alzheimer’s.Alzheimer’s Association.Younger/early-onset Alzheimer’s.Zhu XC, Tan L, Wang HF, et al.Rate of early onset Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):38. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.01.19

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Leung P, Orrell M, Orgeta V.Social support group interventions in people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review of the literature.Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015;30(1):1‐9. doi:10.1002/gps.4166Alzheimer’s Association.Mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Alzheimer’s Association.Stages of Alzheimer’s.Alzheimer’s Association.Younger/early-onset Alzheimer’s.Zhu XC, Tan L, Wang HF, et al.Rate of early onset Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):38. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.01.19

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Leung P, Orrell M, Orgeta V.Social support group interventions in people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review of the literature.Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015;30(1):1‐9. doi:10.1002/gps.4166Alzheimer’s Association.Mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Alzheimer’s Association.Stages of Alzheimer’s.Alzheimer’s Association.Younger/early-onset Alzheimer’s.Zhu XC, Tan L, Wang HF, et al.Rate of early onset Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):38. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.01.19

Leung P, Orrell M, Orgeta V.Social support group interventions in people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review of the literature.Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015;30(1):1‐9. doi:10.1002/gps.4166

Alzheimer’s Association.Mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Alzheimer’s Association.Stages of Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association.Younger/early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Zhu XC, Tan L, Wang HF, et al.Rate of early onset Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):38. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.01.19

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