Support Groups
We are glad you are interested in joining one of our program’s support groups. The goal for our sessions is to exchange helpful caregiving strategies and foster a community where caregivers feel understood and supported. Newly established set of guidelines are meant to help meetings run smoothly and assure that groups are safe and welcoming environments. 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
2025 Dates: Every 3rd Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Remaining meeting dates for 2024: December 17
Location: Via Zoom
Contact: Duke Dementia Family Support Program, 919-660-7510
Long-Term Care Community Support Group (for family care partners of someone living in assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing)
2025 Dates: Every 3rd Tuesday from noon-1:15 p.m.
Remaining meeting dates for 2024: December 17
Location: Via Zoom
Contact: Natalie Leary, MSW, LCSW, 919-660-7542
Duke Dementia Evening Care Partner Support Group
2025 Dates: Every 2nd & 4th Thursday from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Remaining meeting dates for 2024: December 19
Location: Via Zoom
Contact: Rebecca Bratsch, MSW, 919-660-7508
Daughters Concerned for Aging Relatives Support Group
2025 Dates: Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday at noon.
Remaining meeting dates for 2024: December 11
Location: Via Zoom
Contact: Natalie Leary MSW, LCSW, 919-660-7542
Duke Dementia Morning Care Partner Support Group
2025 Dates: Every 2nd Tuesday and 4th Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Remaining meeting dates for 2024: December 4 In-Person & December 10 on Zoom
Location: Tuesdays via Zoom, Wednesdays in-person
Contact: Cornelia Poer, MSW, MHA, 919-660-7509
Younger-Onset Support Group
The group is open to both persons living with memory change (diagnosed at age 64 or younger) and care partners. Simultaneous meetings for each group.
2025 Dates: Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom
Contact: Janeli McNeal, MSW, LCSW-A, 919-660-7565
Person Living with Memory Changes Diagnosis (PLWD) Group
2025 Dates: Every 3rd Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Remaining meeting dates for 2024: December 16
Location: Via Zoom
Contact: Janeli McNeal, MSW, LCSW-A, 919-660-7565
Memory Makers: An Early-Stage Memory Loss Education and Support Group
Memory Makers, a six-week group, is designed for couples or dyads to jointly participate. The dyad is comprised of the person diagnosed with cognitive impairment and their primary care partner (such as a spouse, partner, adult child, friend). As an early-stage educational program, it is required that the individual living with changes in memory and thinking be able to talk about the changes they are noticing, have insight about how it impacts them, and share how they’re coping.
If you are interested in learning more, please reach out by email or call our mainline 919-660-7510.
Caregivers, if you wonder whether a support group is for you OR you think you’re too busy to attend a support group, read Caregivers: 4 Reasons Support Groups Will Be Your Lifeline.
For additional groups in the area, contact the Alzheimer’s Association, Dementia Alliance of North Carolina, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Lewy Body Dementia Association and local Male Caregiver Support Groups.
For information about other support groups throughout North Carolina, please call the Duke Dementia Family Support Program at 919-660-7510.
