Duke Dementia Family Support Program
Caregiver Collective Wisdom
Check out our new addition to the website, Caregiver Collective Wisdom! We asked e-news readers and support group attendees to tell us, “What do you wish someone had told you?”. On this page, you can read through the wisdom and compassion of the responses, with a range of practical caregiving advice and honest reflections on caring for a loved one with dementia.
Upcoming Support Group Dates
If you have not previously participated in a support group, but are interested in joining now, please contact the appropriate staff member.
African American Dementia Care Partner Support Group: Every third Tuesday at 7 p.m., contact Duke Dementia Family Support Program for info, 919-660-7510.
Long-Term Care Community Support Group: Every third Tuesday at noon, contact Natalie for info, 919-660-7542.
Duke Dementia Morning Care Partners: Every second Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and fourth Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. (in-person), contact Cornelia for info, 919-681-8280.
Younger-Onset: Every second and fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m., contact Janeli if joining for the first time, 919-660-7565.
Daughters Concerned For Aging Relatives: Every first and third Wednesday at noon, contact
Natalie for info, 919-660-7542.
Duke Dementia Evening Care Partners: Every second and fourth Thursday at 6:30 p.m, contact Rebecca for info, 919-660-7508.
PLWD Group: Every third Monday at 11:00 a.m. contact Janeli for info, 919-660-7565.
Caregiver Connections
Plan for the Road Ahead: Dementia and Driving
Thursday, February 27th at 1PM
This presentation will address the dicult issue of driving with dementia. Understanding why driving is so important to older adults and why it is dicult to recognize the signs of impairment will be described. Strategies and resources for addressing challenges in relation to driving at the various stages of the dementia process will be highlighted.
Dr. Anne Dickerson is a Professor in East Carolina University’s Department of Occupational Therapy and Director of the Research for the Older Adult Driver Initiative (ROADI) and current editor of Occupational Therapy in Health Care.
Dr. Dickerson is an international leader in occupational therapy research in areas of older adults, driver simulation, and drivers with autism spectrum disorder, and driver rehabilitation.
Click here for event flyer information.
Mark your calendars for March Caregiver Connections!
Tuesday, March 18 at 2PM
Marie Dagger, MS, OTR/L, ECHM, from the Orange County Department on Aging. Stay tuned for more information.
Upcoming Programs Events and Engagement Opportunities
Event Opportunities
Alzheimer’s Association NC Chapter Education Programs
The North Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has a variety of webinars and in-person programs over the next few weeks.
View Eastern NC Events here
View Western NC Events here
A Series of Emotions
Thursday, February 27, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Caregivers often experience a series of common emotions in the process of providing care. This series will provide a forum to discuss these feelings and experiences, along with practical tips and answers to your questions.
Thursday, February 27: How to Process Sadness
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by WellMed Charitable Foundation.
Caregiving – It Takes a Village
Thursday, February 27, 12 – 1 p.m.
Part Three: Caregiving Resources
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by AuthoraCare Collective.
Refusing, Resisting, or Just Not Responding?
Tuesday, February 25, 10 – 11 a.m.
Join Aging Transitions dementia specialists for a virtual workshop on how to adapt our approach to providing care to someone living with dementia by working through examples of tricky situations.
For more information and to register, call 919-968-2087. Hosted by the Orange County Department on Aging.
Poetry: Rx for Caregivers
Wednesday, February 26, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
An uplifting 90-minute workshop to help caregivers foster self-care and explore the healing power of poetry.
For more information, click here. To register, click here. Hosted by Duet.
COAACH Caregiver College
Friday, February 28, 12:30 – 4 p.m. OR Saturday, March 1, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The Center for Outreach in Alzheimer’s Aging and Community Health
2105 Yanceyville St., Greensboro
Caring for the Caregiver: A focus on self-care practices and Alzheimer’s education and training to reduce the stress of caregiving.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by NC A&T COAACH.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers (Apex)
Fridays, March 7 – April 11, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Apex Senior Center, 63 Hunter St., Apex
For more information, click here, or email Elaine Whitford. To register, contact Apex Senior Center, 919-249-3354.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers (Greensboro)
Fridays, March 7 – April 11, 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Friends Home West Wellness Center, Greensboro
6-week educational series to provide family caregivers with practical tools to care for themselves while caring for a loved one.
For more information and to register, click here.
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Friday, March 7, 12 – 1 p.m.
300 North Roxboro St., Durham
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Durham County Library and Alzheimer’s Association.
Engagement Opportunities
Let’s Get Away Together
Tuesdays, February 11 – March 4, 4 – 5 p.m.
This series is comprised of interactive sessions with each week focusing on a new place or cultural activity, while incorporating storytelling, music, poetry writing, and/or a simple craft.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Family Caregiver Alliance and The Hummingbird Project.
Memory Café Hosted by Jewish for Good, Durham
Thursdays, February 20 and March 6, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Register by emailing or calling Jordana Brown at 919-354-4924.
Mallarmé Music at the Durham County Library
Saturday, February 22, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
300 N Roxboro St., Durham
Join lutenist Daniel Swenberg as he demonstrates early lute music and how the lute changed throughout history.
For more information and to register, click here.
Creative Impressions
Monday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Chatham Community Library, Pittsboro
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Chatham County Library and NC Museum of Art.
Memory Café of Cary
Every second Tuesday of the month, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Cary Senior Center, 120 Maury Odell Place, Cary
For more info and to RSVP click here.
ESUMC’s Evening of Dinner and Entertainment
Every third Wednesday of the month, 4 – 6 p.m.
Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh
Dinner is $10 per person. Open to individuals living with dementia and care partners.
Register by emailing or calling Lisa Pace at 919-306-1553.
Millbrook Enrichment Center – Socialization Program
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
1712 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh
$40 per day, with a reduction for the third day if you sign up for three days. Program for individuals with early to moderate-stage dementia or other mild disabilities. For more information click here or contact Shelly Gross at 919-277-8628.
Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care Engagement Events
Free virtual and in-person engagement opportunities for individuals living with dementia such as the Brain Connection Café and Bingo with Creativity. For more information and to register, see the Events page on their website.
Wake County Public Libraries – Memory Care Kits
Memory kit includes books and activities designed to spark memories, initiate conversation, and provide positive interaction between caregiver and individual with memory loss. A Wake County library card is required to reserve the kits, but some of the digital resources in the online guide are accessible to all and may be available at your local library! Click here for more information.
Staying Engaged
Need ideas on how to engage your loved one with dementia at home? Check out the DDFSP’s Engagement page or like our Facebook page for ideas, tips, and activities!
