Dementia Caregiver Support Group with Onsite Group Respite for those living with Early-Stage Dementia
A support group is a safe place where tough emotions about caregiving, even difficult ones like anger, frustration, and grief, can be shared and validated. In the words of a support group member, "It has given us an opportunity to know and trust each other with the sensitive, troubling, and often exhausting situations we've encountered as caregivers of loved ones with dementia. There's always time at the table for each of us to share such things as coping mechanisms, financial resources, and helpful products." New in fall of 2024 is the provision of onsite group respite held during the support group meeting for loved ones living with early-stage dementia. This is not drop-off respite, but rather group respite provided so caregivers may also attend the support group meeting. Pre-registration for group respite is required to plan for staffing and materials. Please contact group leader April Henkel for more information at (850) 228-1228, or by email DementiaCaregiverswnc@gmail.com. New friends are always welcome! Read more about support group and our Covenant.
- Dementia Caregivers Support Group - meeting monthly on the 4th Thursdays at 2pm (Burnsville, NC).
Monthly Caregiver E-Letter
This monthly email helps keep caregivers connected and encouraged with information, tips, training and announcements about Support Groups and upcoming programs for caregivers. Read a recent copy. To sign up for the Monthly Caregiver E-Letter, send an email to DementiaCaregiverswnc@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list.
Dementia Caregivers Resource List – Yancey County
This valuable list includes key resources for dementia caregivers, including brief descriptions, contact names/phones, and website links when available. The list is updated frequently. Download a copy. Copies are also available at the Resource Center in the Yancey County Public Library, described below.
Dementia Caregiver Workshops
The Annual Dementia Caregiver Workshop is held each fall, usually in October/November. Two half-day workshops scheduled for 10/24 and 11/14 had to be cancelled due to the impact of Hurricane Helene on Yancey County. New dates will be announced in early 2025 - stay tuned! Sign-up for the Monthly Caregiver E-Letter to be sure to receive registration information when it becomes available. (Send an email to DementiaCaregiverswnc@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list).
Dementia Caregivers Resource Center
Located at the Yancey County Public Library, the Dementia Caregivers Resource Center is the central repository for books to check-out as well as caregiver educational handouts (for example, How NOT to Argue!). See a list of the books available to check-out (new books added often, as well as handouts!).
The Friends Café
A new offering this year is a memory café program we call, The Friends Café. Memory Cafés are being offered across the nation in various settings. They are social gatherings for both the caregiver together with their loved one with dementia. Our program is offering this for members of our support groups.
