Support Groups

Alzheimer's Support Group

Our support groups, led by trained facilitators, provide care partners with the opportunity to discuss caregiving challenges in a safe setting that promotes mutual support, both practical and emotional. You will be able to share your feelings, learn different strategies to handle difficult situations, and gain emotional support. Talking with people who are going through similar situations can help you feel less alone as you confront the many challenges of caregiving. 

About Alzheimer’s San Diego Support Groups

  • Meetings are for care partners caring for individuals living with memory loss.
  • Groups are based on care partner needs for a wide range of situations.
  • Members are encouraged to attend as many meetings and groups as they like to feel best supported.
  • Meetings are offered 7 days a week, at various times – and are confidential.
  • Groups are flexible. Feel free to attend when you can.
  • Groups are always FREE!
  • More info on this blog post: “Fact Check: Demystifying support groups”

Click to be directed to each group category:

Support Group Guidelines

  • Be respectful and kind to your fellow members.
  • Give everyone a chance to talk.
  • Support each other by sharing your experiences and your feelings.
  • Speak in reference to yourself. For example: “In my experience…” or “I feel…”
  • What you hear and discuss is to be kept in confidence.
  • For virtual groups: Try to log in a few minutes early to test your connection.

*Important* Note if the meeting is:

  • Virtual via Zoom/phone–participation is free and easy. Please call the office for assistance getting started: 858.492.4400.
  • In-person. If you are attending in person, please check the individual group location for any mask, vaccination, or other guidelines.

Client Testimonials

  • “I wouldn’t be surviving without my support group.”

  • “Knowing I am not the only one going through this has helped me so much.”

  • “I have learned so much from my group leader and from other people’s experiences.”

  • “No matter what I say or feel, my group accepts me as I am.”

Specialized Groups

Adult Children Care Partners

2nd & 4th Wednesdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Designed for those caring for a parent living with dementia.

Bereavement Support Group

1st & 3rd Tuesdays from 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Designed for anyone who is grieving after the death of a person with dementia.

Care Facility Care Partners

2nd & 4th Thursdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Designed for care partners whose person is living in a care facility.

Frontotemporal (FTD) & Other Dementias Care Partners

1st Wednesday of the month from 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Designed for those caring for someone living with frontotemporal (FTD), Lewy body (LBD), or other dementia(s). Presented in partnership with the UCSD Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Korean Speaking Care Partners

1st Thursday of the month from 3:30pm to 5:00pm

Designed specifically for Korean speaking care partners. Groups are held using Zoom or KaKaoTalk. For more information, please call 619.933.6799 or email kasdd.17@gmail.com.

Long Distance Care Partners

4th Thursday of the month from 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Designed for dementia care partners who are long distance from their person.

Men’s Care Partners

2nd & 4th Wednesdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Designed for men caring for someone living with dementia.

Other Dementias Care Partners

4th Tuesday of the month from 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Designed to support people caring for someone living with a type of dementia other than Alzheimer’s disease.

Grupo de apoyo en español (en línea)

2do y 4to miércoles del mes de 1:30 a 3:00 p.m.

También tenemos un grupo de español en persona; consulte la sección “In Person” a continuación para obtener más detalles.

Young-Onset Care Partners Group

2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Designed for those caring for someone who received a diagnosis of dementia at age 64 and younger, regardless of current age and type of dementia.

In-Person Groups

North County Coastal

Carlsbad Tuesday Care Partners

2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 10:30am to 12:00pm

Location: ActivCare at Bressi Ranch
6255 Nygaard St., Carlsbad, CA 92009 map it

Carmel Valley Saturday Care Partners

4th Saturday from 9:30am to 11:00am

Location: Carmel Valley Rec Center, Rm 1
3777 Townsgate Dr, San Diego, CA 92130 map it

Oceanside Wednesday Care Partners

1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Location: Oceanside Public Library – Mission Branch
3861 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058 map it

North County Inland

Escondido Monday Care Partners

2nd & 4th Mondays from 10:00am to 11:30am

Location: Park Avenue Community Center
210 East Park Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025 map it

Escondido Sunday Care Partners (faith based)

4th Sunday of the month from 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Location: Escondido Emmanuel Faith Church
639 East 17th Ave, Escondido, CA 92025 map it

San Marcos Tuesday Care Partners

Tuesdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Location: San Marcos Senior Activity Center
111 Richmar Ave, San Marcos, CA 92069 map it

Rancho Bernardo Tuesday Care Partners

2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Location: San Rafael Catholic Church
17252 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92128 map it

Central San Diego

Encanto Thursday Care Partners (faith based)

4th Thursday of the month from 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Location: Skyline Hills Library
7900 Paradise Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92139 map it

East County

Ramona Wednesday Care Partners

4th Wednesday of the month from 10:00am to 11:30am

Location: Ramona Senior Center
434 Aqua Ln, Ramona, CA 92065 map it

South San Diego

Coronado Wednesday Active Care Partners

1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Location: Coronado Public Library
640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 map it

Grupo de apoyo en español (en persona)

*La primera reunión será el 18 de abril.
1er y 3er jueves del mes de 3:30 a 5:00 p.m.

Location: Otay Mesa-Nestor Library
3003 Coronado Ave, San Diego, CA 92154 map it

También tenemos un grupo de español en línea; consulte la sección “Specialized Groups” para obtener más detalles.

Virtual for Now Groups

North County Coastal

Encinitas Wednesday Care Partners

2nd & 4th Wednesdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Virtual Groups

Tuesday Virtual Groups

1st & 3rd Tuesday Evening Care Partners

1st & 3rd Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

2nd & 4th Tuesday Afternoon Care Partners

2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Wednesday Virtual Groups

1st & 3rd Wednesday Evening Care Partners

1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm

2nd & 4th Wednesday Morning Care Partners

2nd & 4th Wednesdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm

2nd Wednesday Afternoon Care Partners (with UCSD)

2nd Wednesday of the month from 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Presented in partnership with the UCSD Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Thursday Virtual Groups

Every Thursday Morning Care Partners

Every Thursday from 10:00am to 12:00pm

2nd & 4th Thursday Afternoon Care Partners

2nd & 4th Thursdays from 1:30pm to 3:00pm

Saturday Virtual Groups

1st & 3rd Saturday Morning Care Partners

1st & 3rd Saturdays from 9:30am to 11:30am

What are my options if I cannot attend a support group meeting in person?

Alzheimer’s San Diego will always have virtual support groups available for you to attend. Please call Support Group Coordinator Ellen Boucher at 858.966.3305 to discuss options of virtual support groups for you to choose from.

Join a Support Group

Watch this video for step-by-step instructions of how to sign up for a group.

You can find a list of support groups currently being held virtually in the list above. Groups meet using Zoom, which is free and easy to use. Simply click the meeting name to learn more and to register for the group. Here’s how to get started:

  • Once you register, you will be emailed a secure Zoom link to join the group.
  • You will receive a confirmation email which will provide a link for future meetings.
  • The group leader will ask you for contact information so we can send email reminders.

You can also attend the support group meetings by phone. Please call us at 858.492.4400 for more information.

If you would like to schedule a Zoom practice session, please call Ellen Boucher at 858.966.3305.

Become a Support Group Facilitator

Interested in becoming a group facilitator? Alzheimer’s San Diego provides training, materials and ongoing support for those interested in facilitating a support group. Contact Ellen Boucher at 858.966.3305 or eboucher@alzsd.org for more information.