Not all support groups are the same, which is why it may take you some time to find one you are comfortable with and enjoy. Some are primarily educational and may feature guest speakers who discuss various aspects of the disease. Others focus on emotional support and offer participants the chance to speak. Some groups are lead by professional facilitators such as nurses or social workers, while others are lead by trained group members.
Support groups may also be highly specialized. Some may serve only younger people who have early-onset Alzheimer’s. Others may target only those in the early stages of the disease. Still others may be geared only for spouses who are acting as care¬givers or for adults or children whose parents have been diag¬nosed. Participating in a specialized group may help you focus on concerns specific to your situation.
If you’d rather participate in a support group of a less personal nature, you might consider finding one on the Internet. Several organizations have created bulletin boards, chat rooms, and news¬groups for people with common concerns to provide information and offer one another support. One of the best sources is the Alzheimer’s Association, which has an entire page dedicated to message boards and chat rooms.
To locate a support group, go to the Alzheimer’s Association Web site at www.alz.org and look up your local chapter. You might also want to ask your doctor for information about support groups. Other good people to ask include your clergy, social workers, psy¬chologists, and nurses. You might also consult local community centers, services for the aging, churches, synagogues, and assisted-living facilities. Sometimes friends, neighbors, and colleagues can help connect you to a group, too.
If you do decide to join, attend at least a few meetings before deciding that the group is not for you. Sometimes, it takes a while before you feel comfortable with the other members. Over time, the connection may develop as you become more familiar with the other participants. But if you never quite connect, you may con¬sider trying another group.