About Us
Duke’s Aging Center Family Support Program, with grants from Duke Hospital Auxiliary and the NC Foundation, established the first support groups in North Carolina for families of adults with memory disorders in 1980. Under the leadership of our founder, Lisa P. Gwyther, the program achieved national recognition.
Since 1984, the Program has been partially funded by the NC Division of Aging to provide services and support to individuals living with dementia, their families, and professionals caring for people with memory disorders.
In 2000, the Program’s social workers were funded by Duke Human Resources to offer free confidential eldercare consultations for Duke employees and their families. The Duke Employee Elder Care Consultation Service was selected by the National Alliance for Caregiving for its June, 2012, Washington D.C. publication, “Best Practices in Workplace Eldercare.”
In 2019, to reflect our mission, the program name changed to Duke Dementia Family Support Program. Our focus continues to be providing dementia education, support, and engagement. Services are offered free of charge and no affiliation with Duke Health is required.
In 2020, the program began offering a variety of virtual support groups and activities, allowing us to reach a more geographically diverse audience and making our services more accessible. We now offer both virtual and in-person opportunities.
Our program is largely sustained through the ongoing generosity of donors. If you’re interested in making a donation, of any amount, visit our Giving page.
Duke Dementia Family Support Program1st floor Blue Zone, Duke South ClinicsBox 3600 Duke University Medical CenterDurham, NC 27710
Phone: (919) 660-7510
Email Address: DDFSP@duke.edu
Duke Dementia Family Support Program on Facebook
Bobbi G. Matchar, MSW, MHA, Director
bobbi.matchar@duke.edu
Janeli McNeal, MSW, Social Worker
janeli.mcneal@duke.edu
Natalie Leary, MSW, LCSW, Social Worker
natalie.leary@duke.edu
Cornelia Poer, MSW, LCSW, Social Worker
cornelia.poer@duke.edu
Rebecca Bratsch, MSW, Social Worker
rebecca.bratsch@duke.edu
