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The UCSD ADRC offers two distinct support groups
open to participants of the ADRC and the general
public. These groups include our weekly
support group for persons with early-stage
Alzheimer's and our monthly support group for
younger caregivers (under age 60). These
groups have long focused on addressing the needs of
specific populations not generally served through
Alzheimer's community support groups.
Our support group for persons with early-stage
Alzheimer's began in the early 1990's and originally
was designed as an eight-week time-limited educational
support group that included both the person with
Alzheimer's and the primary caregiver. An
extensive manual of this support group curriculum is
available through the UCSD ADRC. In 1995, due
to the request of one participant with Alzheimer's
we shifted our limited model to a weekly ongoing
model. This model is for participants with
Alzheimer's only, and has an informal unfacilitated
caregiver support group component. We have
established guidelines for this very successful
weekly ongoing support group program and have
expanded to now having three such support groups for
persons with early-stage Alzheimer's in San Diego
county. We have also established an
international network of early-stage support group
facilitators who are collaborating on research and
sharing developments in this field.
Our young caregivers support group meets monthly
in the evening. This group provides an
opportunity for adult children or young spouses to
discuss issues pertaining to early-onset Alzheimer's
or caring for a parent. The under age 60 focus
allows for greater identification and social bonding
among the caregivers who may have felt less
comfortable in a group of senior caregivers. Issues
unique to young caregivers include juggling
responsibilities of work, young families, and the
demands of caregiving; legal and financial concerns
including enforced early retirement, disability,
etc., and the social isolation of a disease that
primarily effects the elderly.
For more information on these support groups,
please contact Lisa Snyder, MSW, LCSW at
858-622-5800 or Email: lsnyder@ucsd.edu.
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