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
