The challenges and emotions that come with caregiving for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia can be overwhelming. It can be a stressful endeavor surrounded by anxiety, worry and guilt, and many feel as if they are alone in their journey.
The Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter welcomes caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, as well as individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, to attend one of its support groups meeting throughout the region.
Support groups are a community of peers that exist to support one another. These peer- or professionally led groups for individuals, caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia. Caregiver support groups promote an open forum of sharing and discussion among people facing many of the same issues. The group’s power rests within its members’ ability to show compassion, develop strategies and empower its members to provide the highest quality care possible. Early-stage groups provide peer-to-peer conversation and support for individuals specifically diagnosed in the disease’s early stages. Groups are open to the individual with the disease and the caregiver, and advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling the number listed with the support group.
The Chapter has also partnered with the Spanish Action League in Syracuse, or La Liga de Acción Hispaña, to provide a support group for Spanish-speaking caregivers. The group will meet at the Spanish Action League’s Syracuse office, 700 Oswego St., on the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.
All support groups are free of charge to attend and facilitated by trained individuals. For more information, call 1-800-272-3900 or email cny-programs@alz.org.
Upcoming meetings include:
Early-Stage Support Groups
**Advance screening recommended by calling the Chapter**
DeWitt
Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church, 5299 Jamesville Rd.
3rd Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
May 17 and June 21
Vestal
Vestal United Methodist Church, 328 Main St.
2nd Friday, 1 p.m.
May 12 and June 9
Whitesboro
Dunham Public Library, 76 Main St. #78
2nd Monday, 11 a.m.
May 8 and June 12
Caregiver Support Groups
Broome County
Johnson City
First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City, 2 Main St.
1st & 3rd Monday, 6 p.m.
May 1 and 15; June 5 and 19
United Methodist Homes Hilltop Campus, 286 Deyo Hill Rd.
3rd Wednesday, 4 p.m.
May 17 and June 21
Vestal
Vestal Public Library, 320 Vestal Pkwy. East
1st Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
May 2 and June 6
Cayuga County
Auburn
United Way of Cayuga County, 17 E. Genesee St., #302
Use rear parking lot on Seminary Street
2nd Monday, 2 p.m.
May 9 and June 13
Chenango County
Norwich
United Church of Christ, First Congregational, 11 W. Main St.
3rd Thursday, 6 p.m.
May 18 and June 15
Cortland County
Cortland
Walden Place, 839 Bennie Rd.
3rd Wednesday, 12:30 p.m.
May 17 and June 21
Marathon
Peck Memorial Library, 24 W. Main St.
2nd Monday, 2 p.m.
May 8 and June 12
Herkimer County
Little Falls
Little Falls Community and Senior Center, 524 Main St.
2nd Thursday, 6 p.m.
May 11 and June 8
Jefferson County
Clayton
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 521 James St.
2nd Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
May 11 and June 8
Watertown
Northern Regional Ctr. for Independent Living, 210 Court St., #104
4th Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.
May 25 and June 23
Lewis County
Lowville
Lewis County Office for the Aging, 7550 S. State St.
3rd Thursday, 10 a.m.
May 18 and June 15
Madison County
Canastota
Madison County Office for the Aging, 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd.
3rd Friday, 10 a.m.
May 19 and June 16
Cazenovia
Community Resources for Independent Seniors, Cherry Valley Professional Plaza, 2662 Rte. 20 East
2nd Wednesday, 6 p.m.
May 10 and June 14
Oneida County
Clinton
Brookdale Clinton, 115 Brookside Rd.
Last Wednesday, 1 p.m.
May 31 and June 28
Rome
Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 James St., Room 101
2nd Tuesday, 5 p.m.
May 9 and June 13
Onondaga County
Baldwinsville
Baldwinsville Methodist Church, 17 W. Genesee St.
2nd Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
May 9 and June 13
Liverpool
St. Joseph The Worker Church, 1001 Tulip St., 2nd Floor Library
Use school entrance off of 6th Street
2nd Saturday, 11 a.m.
May 13 and June 10
Manlius
Manlius Public Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Way
4th Tuesday, 7 p.m.
May 23 and June 27
North Syracuse
NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane
3rd Tuesday, 3:15 p.m.
May 16 and June 20
Skaneateles
Grace Chapel, 1674 U.S. Route 20
Last Thursday, 2 p.m.
May 25 and June 29
Syracuse
The Centers at St. Camillus, 813 Fay Rd.
3rd Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
May 16 and June 20
The Hearth on James, 830 James St.
1st & 3rd Thursday, 1 p.m.
May 4 and 18; June 1 and 15
Spanish Action League, 700 Oswego St.
Spanish language support group
1st Wednesday, 6 p.m.
May 3 and June 7
Syracuse V.A. Hospital, 800 Irving Ave., Room B905
Non-Veterans Welcome
1st Wednesday, 1 p.m.
May 3 and June 7
Oswego County
Central Square
First Universalist Church of Central Square, 3243 Fulton Ave.
4th Monday, 7 p.m.
May 22 and June 19
Oswego
The Manor at Seneca Hill, 20 Manor Dr.
4th Wednesday, 7 p.m.
May 24 and June 28
St. Lawrence County
Canton
Maplewood, 205 State Street Rd.
1st Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
May 2 and June 6
Gouverneur
Gouverneur Community Center, 4673 NYS Route 58
3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
May 18 and June 15
Massena
Massena Memorial Hospital, 1 Hospital Dr., Lower Level Conference Room
3rd Monday, 5:30 p.m.
May 15 and June 19
Ogdensburg
Riverledge Health Care & Rehabilitation Ctr., 8101 State Hwy. 68
2nd Tuesday, 4 p.m.
May 9 and June 13
Tioga County
Owego
Tioga Opportunities, Inc., 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd.
3rd Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
May 16 and June 20
Tompkins County
Ithaca
Lifelong, 119 W. Court St.
1st Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
May 3 and June 7