Question from Anonymous Caring.com community member
Where can I find a support group for caregivers of people with non-Alzheimer's dementia? My grandmother's medically non-specified dementia very clearly does not fit the pattern of Alzheimer's Disease, which makes it hard for me to find information and people I can relate to.
Expert Answer by Paula Spencer
As you've discovered the majority of dementia support groups target the caregivers of people with Alzheimer's Disease. The good news is that more and more groups of other types are being created (such as for people with early-onset dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, etc.).
Even though your parent has non-Alzheimer's dementia, your local Alzheimer's Association can be a good place to start looking for a support group because they tend to have very good tabs on local resources on dementia generally. You can also ask your local area association on aging. Local hospitals or long-term care facilities may also run or know about programs.
It's great that you're looking for a support group because this can be a huge source of stress relief as well as a place to learn new ideas. Even if you aren't able to locate one specifically for your loved one's type of dementia, please do try a general dementia or even Alzheimer's-specific support group. Although there are differences in the specific issues faced, there are also many common bonds. What sometimes happens is that participants discover others in the same situation and branch off to form their own support network.
