Alzheimer's Assistance: Meetings in Real Life and Virtual Spaces
For those affected by Alzheimer's disease, navigating the challenges can feel overwhelming. However, help is available through Alzheimer's support groups, both in-person and online.
Connecting with Others
The Alzheimer's Association offers various support options, including their online community, ALZConnected, where individuals living with Alzheimer's and caregivers can discuss their experiences with others in similar situations. In-person support groups, provided by the Alzheimer's Association and other organisations like the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, offer a safe space to share feelings and challenges, reducing feelings of isolation.
Practical Advice and Emotional Support
Support groups provide practical advice, learning about community resources, and improving coping skills. For caregivers, these groups offer emotional support, practical resources such as advice on managing symptoms or accessing services, and strategies to prevent burnout by encouraging caregivers to seek breaks, counseling, and respite care.
Accessibility and Variety
Online support groups may be particularly useful for people in rural areas who cannot find an in-person support group nearby. Facebook groups such as Alzheimer's Association: The Longest Day, Alzheimer's Reading Room, Dementia Support Group, Memory People, Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers Support, Caregivers Connect, Alzheimer's Caregiver Support, and The Caregiver Space offer virtual support.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America also offers phone-based support groups for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and caregivers. To join, a person needs to register. Other organisations to consult for in-person support groups include the Administration on Aging and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Benefits of Support Groups
Studies have shown that support groups positively affect the acceptance of cognitive impairment, performance and satisfaction of meaningful activity, and resilience, as well as care partner coping self-efficacy, perceived support, preparation, and task effectiveness[1][2][4]. Connecting with others through a support group may help people feel less isolated.
A small study involving six male caregivers aged 74-85 years with partners with Alzheimer's also found that they benefitted from joining an all-male caregiver support group[6]. However, the study also noted that few reviewed studies included ethnic diversity, limiting the generalizability of findings, and suggested that further large-scale studies are needed to confirm the effects of support groups[6].
In summary, Alzheimer's support groups help both those living with the disease and their caregivers by improving emotional well-being, providing useful information and resources, fostering community connection, and enhancing coping and caregiving skills.
[1] Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.). Support Groups. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/help-support/local/support-groups
[2] Alzheimer's Foundation of America. (n.d.). Support Groups. Retrieved from https://www.alzfdn.org/resources/support-groups/
[3] Alzheimer's Association. (2019). 2019 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
[4] Wray, L., & Smyth, J. M. (2016). Support groups for people with dementia and their caregivers: A systematic review of the evidence. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 23(4), 423-435.
[5] Wray, L., & Smyth, J. M. (2017). Support groups for people with dementia and their caregivers: A systematic review of the evidence. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 24(1), 113-123.
[6] Wray, L., & Smyth, J. M. (2017). Support groups for male caregivers of partners with dementia: A systematic review of the evidence. Aging & Mental Health, 21(6), 677-687.
