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 Bobbi for info, 919-660-7509.
Long-Term Care Community Support Group: Every third Tuesday at noon, contact Natalie for information, 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 Natalie for info, 919-660-7542.
PLWD Group: Every third Monday at 11:00 a.m. contact Janeli for info, 919-660-7565.
Caregiver Connections
The “Other” Dementias: A Talk about Frontotemporal,
Vascular, and Lewy Body Dementia
Tuesday, August 20 at 2PM EST
The August Caregiver Connections presentation with UNC’s Dr. Andrea Bozoki will discuss highlights from some of the non-Alzheimer’s forms of dementia:
- Review clinical features
- Explain treatment options
- Discuss “mixed” dementias
Guest speaker: Dr. Andrea Bozoki, MD
Dr. Andrea Bozoki, a neurologist, is chief of the UNC Division of Memory and Cognitive Disorders, and Professor of Neurology at UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She is also the Outreach and Engagement Core Leader for the Duke-UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
Click here for the event flyer.
On the day of the presentation, click on this link to access the Zoom presentation OR call in by dialing 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 965 7747 1018 Password: 3513
Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming 2024 Caregiver Connections
Tuesday, September 17 at 2PM
Grief & Dementia Caregivers
Anthony Galanos, MD, MA, Professor of Medicine, Duke University
Wednesday, October 16 at 2PM
Dementia 101 in Spanish
Liza Genoa, MD, Geriatric Medicine Specialist, Duke University
Tuesday, November 12 at 1PM
Palliative Care & Hospice Care in Dementia
Sarah Lipscomb, RN, MSN, AGNP-C, Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care, Duke University
Tuesday, December 3 at 1PM
Mini Mental Makeover for Deentia Family Caregivers
Laurie Kovens, MSW, Certified Employee Assistance Professional, Duke University
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.
See Eastern NC Events here
See Western NC Events here
Lewy Body Dementia Basics
Tuesday, September 10, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Wake County Public Library.
Care Connections Webinar: Navigating Dental Care for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)
Thursday, September 12, 1 – 2 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Mark Sennet: Destigmatizing Alzheimer’s Disease Through Photography
Thursday, September 12, 1 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Being Patient.
MemoryCare’s Caregiver Educational Series: Is it Time for Tech?
Thursday, September 12, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by MemoryCare.
Healthy Aging Expo
Tuesday, September 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, 1192 US Hwy 64 West Business, Pittsboro, NC
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Chatham County Aging Services.
Alzheimer’s Disease vs. Dementia: What’s the Difference?
Wednesday, September 18, 2 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by AARP.
Healthy Eating for a Healthy Brain
Thursday, September 19, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by MemoryCare.
Dementia Inclusive Community Forum
Friday, September 20, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Dementia Inclusive Inc.
Johnston County Community Dementia Workshop
Wednesday, September 25, 2 – 4 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Dementia Alliance of NC.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers (Virtual)
Thursdays, October 7 – November 7, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by AARP NC.
Dementia Basics: What Can We Expect?
Mondays, October 7 – 28, 1 – 3 p.m.
Four-part series to provide basic information about dementia to persons living with memory concerns and care partners.
Part 1: Monday, October 7 – Brain Health
Part 2: Monday, October 14 – Types & Stages of Dementia
Part 3: Monday, October 21 – Communication
Part 4: Monday, October 28 – Preparing for the Journey Ahead
For more information and to register, email agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov or call (919) 968-2087.
Hosted by Orange County Department on Aging.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers (In-Person)
Tuesdays, October 15 – November 19, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by the Center for Volunteer Caregiving.
Engagement Opportunities
Lets Get Away, Together
Tuesdays, September 10 – October 29, 4 – 5 p.m. (Virtual)
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by The Hummingbird Project.
- September 10th – Let’s Travel to the World’s Most Amazing Waterfalls!
- September 17th – Let’s Travel to the Wonders of the Galapagos Islands!
- September 24th – Let’s Discover How the World Celebrates the Equinox and Welcomes Autumn!
- October 1st – Let’s Explore Photography from Then to Now!
- October 8th – Encore Presentation – Let’s Return to Beautiful Hawaii!
- October 15th – Let’s Experience the Majesty of Glaciers!
- October 22nd – Let’s Experience Flower Festivals and Botanical Gardens Around the World!
Memory Café Hosted by Jewish for Good, Durham
Thursday, September 12 & 26, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Register by emailing or calling Jordana Brown at 919-354-4924.
Vitamin M (Music) for Dementia: How Music Strikes a Chord
Wednesday, September 18, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, click here. Hosted by Duet.
Kindermusik Bridges Intergenerational Music Story Time
Thursday, September 19, 9:30 – 10 a.m.
For more information, click here. Hosted by the Chatham County Library.
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 weekly ideas, tips, or activities!