Alzheimer’s Association to continue support groups via phone, online through fall months

Based on the guidance from local public health agencies, the Alzheimer’s Association has transitioned its support groups from in-person meetings to gatherings that take place remotely. Staff- and peer-led groups will meet at their regularly scheduled times, but using telephone and online meeting services.

“The health and safety of our constituents, volunteers and staff remain our driver as we address the COVID-19 outbreak and as we continue to pursue our mission, today and in the longer term,” said Catherine James, Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter Chief Executive Officer. “Alzheimer’s Association operations will continue, and we will re-evaluate these measures on an ongoing basis and resume in person engagements as soon as we are able, based on public health guidelines.”

Support groups are open to all caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Some groups have specialized audiences, including spousal caregivers and individuals living with early-stage dementia. To obtain instructions on how to join a group by phone or online, call 315.472.4201 and dial extension 228 at the prompt.

Moving groups to a virtual environment means that peer support is available on a more frequent basis.

“Our groups had previously been organized geographically and resources local to that area will still inform each group,” James said. “But, the nature of how we are operating right now allows us to offer a group to whomever needs one, whenever they need it.

Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. Alzheimer’s Association support groups provide an opportunity for people to share personal experiences and feelings, and coping strategies.

All support groups are free of charge to attend and facilitated by trained individuals.

Upcoming meetings include:

• Oct. 1, 1 p.m.: Syracuse Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 1, 2 p.m.: Auburn Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 1, 4 p.m.: Utica Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 6, 6 p.m.: Vestal Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.: Canton Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 7, 5:30 p.m.: Ithaca Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 8, 6 p.m.: Little Falls Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 9, 1 p.m.: Vestal Early-Stage Support Group. Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling 315.472.4201.
• Oct. 10, 11 a.m.: Liverpool Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 12, 11 a.m.: Whitesboro Early Stage Support Group. Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling 315.472.4201.
• Oct. 13, 2 p.m.: Clayton Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 13, 3 p.m.: Syracuse LGBT Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 13, 5 p.m.: Rome Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m.: Baldwinsville Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 14, 10 a.m.: Long-Term Care Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 14, 1:30 p.m.: Gouverneur Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 14, 5:30 p.m.: Syracuse Younger-Onset (under 65 years old) Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 14, 6 p.m.: Cazenovia Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 15, 10 a.m.: Lowville Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 15, 1 p.m.: Syracuse Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 15, 6 p.m.: Norwich Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 16, 10 a.m.: Canastota Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 16, 1 p.m.: Ogdensburg Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 20, 1:30 p.m.: Owego Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 20, 3:15 p.m.: North Syracuse Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 20, 6 p.m.: Solvay-Geddes Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 21, 12:30 p.m.: Cortland Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 21, 4 p.m.: Johnson City Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 21, 4:30 p.m.: DeWitt Early Stage Support Group. Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling 315.472.4201
• Oct. 22, 3 p.m.: Clay Spouse/Partner Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 26, 7 p.m.: Central Square Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 27, 2 p.m.: Cincinnatus Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 27, 4:30 p.m.: Watertown Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.: Manlius Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 28, 1 p.m.: Clinton Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 28, 6 p.m.: Oswego Caregiver Support Group
• Oct. 29, 2 p.m.: Skaneateles Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 3, 6 p.m.: Vestal Caregiver Support Group. Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling 315.472.4201.
• Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.: Canton Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m.: Ithaca Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 5, 1 p.m.: Syracuse Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 5, 2 p.m.: Auburn Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 5, 4 p.m.: Utica Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 9, 11 a.m.: Whitesboro Early Stage Support Group
• Nov. 10, 2 p.m.: Clayton Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 10, 3 p.m.: Syracuse LGBT Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 10, 5 p.m.: Rome Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m.: Baldwinsville Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 11, 10 a.m.: Long-Term Care Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 11, 1:30 p.m.: Gouverneur Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m.: Syracuse Younger-Onset Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 11, 6 p.m.: Cazenovia Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 12, 6 p.m.: Little Falls Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 13, 1 p.m.: Vestal Early-Stage Support Group. Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling 315.472.4201.
• Nov. 14, 11 a.m.: Liverpool Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 17, 1:30 p.m.: Owego Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 17, 3:15 p.m.: North Syracuse Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 17, 6 p.m.: Solvay-Geddes Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 18, 12:30 p.m.: Cortland Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 18, 4 p.m.: Johnson City Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 18, 4:30 p.m.: DeWitt Early Stage Support Group. Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling 315.472.4201.
• Nov. 18, 6 p.m.: Oswego Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 19, 10 a.m.: Lowville Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 19, 1 p.m.: Syracuse Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 19, 2 p.m.: Skaneateles Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 19, 3 p.m.: Clay Spousal Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 19, 6 p.m.: Norwich Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 20, 10 a.m.: Canastota Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 20, 1 p.m.: Ogdensburg Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 23, 7 p.m.: Central Square Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 24, 2 p.m.: Cincinnatus Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 24, 4:30 p.m.: Watertown Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 24, 6:30 p.m.: Manlius Caregiver Support Group
• Nov. 25, 1 p.m.: Clinton Caregiver Support Group