Additional Resources

Community resources in Florida

The Alzheimer's Disease Research Center offers a variety of conferences, seminars and events for patients and their families, caregivers, and community members in Florida. The overall goal of the education offerings is to improve participants' understanding of dementia, including symptoms and behavior changes.

The classes are free and open to the public. Advance registration is not required.

Visit the center's Florida Community Outreach and Engagement website for more information.

Community resources in Minnesota

A variety of meetings are available in Rochester, Minnesota, and the surrounding area. Event information is available through:

For information on similar programs in other locations or states, contact the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 (toll-free).

Programs

Mayo Clinic Health Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking (HABIT)

Mayo Clinic offers HABIT, a comprehensive program for people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. The program addresses cognitive changes and helps participants incorporate new habits that can play a role in optimizing independence and overall health and well-being. For more information, email habitprogram@mayo.edu or call 608-392-9371.

Mindfulness-Based Dementia Caring

Mindfulness-Based Dementia Caring (MBDC) is an eight-week program for family care partners of people with dementia.

Learn how the practice of mindfulness can help you cope with the challenges and stresses of dementia care. The program includes interactive mindful care practices, gentle yoga, lectures, group sharing and at-home assignments.

For program details, including dates and times, please contact Angela Lunde at lunde.angela@mayo.edu or call 507-538-4048.

Support groups

The Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center offers a variety of support groups to meet individual needs. Each of the groups offers a setting where participants share experiences and feelings with others on a similar caregiving path, with opportunities for reflecting, problem-solving and exchanging information.

Led by Mayo Clinic facilitators, the purpose of these groups is for individuals to feel heard, understood, and supported through sharing and learning.

For more information, contact Jodi Melius at melius.jodi@mayo.edu or call 507-538-4048.

Caring Conversations

Caring Conversations is a virtual support group for those providing support and care to a spouse, partner, relative or close friend living with Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body dementia, frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), mild cognitive impairment or a related disorder.

Caring Conversations meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 11:00 a.m. Central time.

Caring for Lewy

Caring for Lewy is an online education and support program for families and relatives who provide care or support to a person with Lewy body dementia.

Caring for Lewy meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. Central time.

Caring for FTD

Caring for FTD is a support program uniquely designed for families and relatives who provide care or support to a person with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD).

Caring for FTD meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Central time.

Mayo Clinic Connect Dementia Caregivers Discussion Forum

The Caregivers: Dementia Discussion Forum is a peer-led group with Mayo Clinic moderators. It's one of 75 groups on Mayo Clinic Connect, Mayo's online community connecting patients and caregivers with each other. Find other people like you for support, practical information and answers to your questions about caring for someone living with dementia.

Other Mayo Clinic resources

Book: "Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias"

In "Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias," you will gain an understanding of dementia based on what researchers and other medical experts know about it today. You will also learn that dementia is not just about loss and decline. For many, a good quality of life can — and does — continue. Get the latest information on this disease from Mayo Clinic researchers and medical experts in "Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias."

View the book in the Mayo Clinic Marketplace.

National organizations

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. It champions positive social change and delivers value through advocacy, information and service. AARP has branches in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. For more information about services near you, visit the AARP website.

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association accelerates global research that drives risk reduction and early detection and maximizes quality care and support. The Alzheimer's Association provides support groups, care consultations and a 24/7 helpline to serve people with dementia, their care partners and others dealing with the disease. Call 800-272-3900 (toll-free) or visit the Alzheimer's Association website for more information.

ALZConnected

Powered by the Alzheimer's Association, ALZConnected is a free online community for everyone affected by Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Visit the ALZConnected website for more information.

CurePSP

CurePSP is a leading source of information and support for patients and their families, other caregivers, researchers, and health care professionals about prime-of-life neurodegeneration, including progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy and related diseases. Call 800-457-4777 (toll-free), email info@curepsp.org or visit the Cure PSP website for more information.

Dementia Action Alliance (DAA)

The DAA works to create a better society in which to live with dementia. It provides discussion groups, podcasts, an online resources center, a national speakers bureau and other services. All content is shaped and informed by people living with dementia. Call 732-212-9036 or visit the DAA website for more information.

This Dementia Life is a heartwarming podcast produced by the DAA about living life with dementia. It is available on the DAA website, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Eldercare Locator

Offered by the U.S. Administration on Aging, Eldercare Locator connects people to services for older adults and families in the communities in which they live. Call 800-677-1116 (toll-free) or visit the Eldercare Locator website for more information.

Giving Voice

Giving Voice inspires and equips organizations worldwide to bring together people with Alzheimer's disease and their care partners to sing in choruses that foster joy, well-being, purpose and community understanding. Call 612-440-9660 or visit the Giving Voice website for more information.

Lewy Body Dementia Association

The Lewy Body Dementia Association is dedicated to raising awareness about Lewy body dementias, supporting people with these conditions and their families and caregivers, and promoting scientific advances. The association's purposes are charitable, educational and scientific. For more information, call 800-539-9767 (toll-free) or visit the Lewy Body Dementia Association website.

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's mission is to improve the quality of life for people affected by frontotemporal degeneration and to advance research, awareness, support, education and advocacy. For more information, call the helpline at 866-507-7222 (toll-free) or visit The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website.

Rochester-based organizations

Elder Network

Elder Network offers nonmedical care services, including senior advocacy, education and support, companion services, in-home respite care, peer support, friendly visitors, and transportation in southeast Minnesota. Call 507-285-5272, email info@elder-network.org, or visit the Elder Network website for more information.

Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH)

REACH is a program to support family members who are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Caregivers meet one-on-one with trained caregiver consultants who customize each session to meet specific caregiver needs. The goals are to teach caregivers how to reduce stress, solve problems, address daily challenges, and feel confident in the care they provide and their ability to cope. This program is led by trained staff from Elder Network.

Family Service Rochester

Family Service Rochester is a community-based organization that provides senior independence services including Meals on Wheels, chore services, home safety and more. For more information, call 507-287-2010 or visit the Family Services Rochester website.

Olmsted County Aging and Care Coordination Services

Home and community care programs are designed to support older adults and disabled people in living in the community as independently as possible. Call 507-328-6519 for more information.

Resounding Voices Chorus

Resounding Voices Chorus is a professionally directed chorus for people experiencing mild memory impairment or dementia and their care partners. It provides cognitive stimulation and fosters learning, new friendships and a renewed purpose. The chorus rehearses weekly in Rochester and performs publicly throughout the year.

Visit the Resounding Voices Chorus website or call 507-218-8376 for more information.

Southeast Minnesota Area Agency on Aging (SEMAAA)

SEMAAA is a private nonprofit agency serving the 11 counties of southeast Minnesota. It works with families, seniors, service providers and public agencies to help support, coordinate or develop community services.

SEMAAA's mission is to promote the independence and dignity of older adults so they can age successfully and remain in their homes for as long as possible. SEMAAA operates the Senior LinkAge Line, a free service that connects people to information and assistance. Call 800-333-2433 (toll-free) for more information.

Caregiver-specific organizations

Family Caregiver Alliance

The mission of Family Caregiver Alliance is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. For more information, call 800-455-8106 (toll-free) or visit the Family Caregiver Alliance website.

National Alliance for Caregiving

The National Alliance for Caregiving is dedicated to improving the quality of life for friend and family caregivers and those in their care by advancing research, advocacy and innovation. For more information, call 202-918-1013 or visit the National Alliance for Caregiving website.