Written by Ellen Boucher, BSW
Alzheimer’s San Diego offers different options when it comes to support groups. Days and times of meetings, ways to participate, types of groups, as well as different attendees and facilitators all impact the experience you have. Just as finding the right person for you when it comes to a doctor, dentist, and any other type of important relationship in your life, it is important to find the right fit for you in a support group. Sometimes it takes a few visits to determine if a group is a good match for you but finding the right fit is worth the effort. The following information can give you a starting point for finding the best group(s) for you.
Days and Time of Meetings
Look at your schedule to answer the following questions: When do you have the availability to attend a meeting, or will you need to make time? Do you need to make arrangements for companionship of the person you are caring for?
How to Participate: In Person, Online via Zoom, or by Phone Call
Is attending an in-person meeting something that will work for you when you take into account the meeting location, transportation and meeting time, as well as any other things that need to be considered. If attending in person is not an option, we have meetings on Zoom that you can attend from anywhere. (We have had people sit in their cars to attend a Zoom meeting.) Zoom is simple to install, and you are sent the meeting links the morning of each meeting for easy access via your computer, tablet, or smart phone. There is also the option to call into a Zoom meeting, and the number comes with the meeting link.
Types of Support Groups
Alzheimer’s San Diego offers specialized groups and mixed groups, both of which offer valuable interactions. In fact, there are care partners who attend both a specialized group and a mixed group because they receive diverse types of support and knowledge from each group.
Specialized groups are focused on such things as different aspects of dementia or care partners. For example, are you an adult child who is caring for a parent? Are you caring for someone who is living with Young Onset (64 years of age or younger)? Are you caring for someone who lives quite a distance away from you or someone who is living with a type of dementia other than Alzheimer’s? We currently have ten specialized support groups and will be adding more in the future. These specialized groups allow people to discuss situations and feelings particular to their circumstances.
Mixed support groups are comprised of care partners from an array of situations. These groups cover different types and stages of dementia, different relationships, and different living situations to name a few things. Because there is a broad range of situations, these groups often provide a wide variety of ideas, solutions, and support.
Attendees and Facilitators
I facilitate multiple support groups and find it fascinating that each group has its own personality even though I facilitate the group in the same way. This is because it is the attendees who all have unique perspectives and contribute to the meetings in different ways. In addition to the attendees, each facilitator is unique as well. For this reason it is important to visit groups a couple of times to get a feel for the group and the facilitator. Attending once or twice does not commit you to continue with a particular group. The goal is for you to find the best fit for you!
To discuss support group options please call our office at 858.492.4400 to speak with one of our Clinical Care Coaches or view our list of support groups here.
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