Sometimes, the caregiver and family members need support. Here are some meetings where support is offered. Call or email to ensure there's been no change in meeting schedule. The Alzheimer's Association also has a 24-hour helpline, 1-800-272-3900.
The Caring Connection, a free telephone support group, is held two times each month for caregivers who either may live in an area not currently served, or may have difficulty getting out to a support group. For information about the days and times of the meetings, contact Jenny Heuer at the Atlanta office at 1-800-272-3900.
EARLY MEMORY LOSS SUPPORT GROUPS For additional information, please contact Suzette Binford at the Atlanta office at 1-800-272-3900.
The Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter and the Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Wesley Woods co-sponsor an Early Memory Loss Support Group for persons who have been diagnosed with mild memory impairment and a concurrent group for their care partner. Call Susan Peterson-Hazan at 404- 712-6875 for details.
Alzheimer’s Association Early Stage Support Group for individuals recently diagnosed with Early Stage dementia and their care partners. This group meets once a month at the Atlanta Office. Contact your local office to see if an Early Stage Support Group is offered in your area. Call 1-800-272-3900 for more details.
Shallowford Early Stage Support Group This group meets every Tuesday 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Shallowford Presbyterian Church 2375 Shallowford Rd., NE; Atlanta, GA 30345 Call 1-800-272-3900 and ask for Suzette Binford.
Frontotemporal (FTD) Caregiver Support Group — A monthly support group for families of individuals diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wesley Woods Hospital – AV Conference Room 1821 Clifton Road; Atlanta, GA 30329 Contact David Triemer, PhD 404-405-8083 or david.triemer@gmail.com. Meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Northside Forsyth Hospital 1400 Building, Bennett Classroom B Cumming, GA Contact Sharon Hall 706-974-0831 or sharonhall419@yahoo.com
County-by-county in the region (Always call or email to confirm meeting time, location in advance)
BARTOW Cartersville meets first Monday at 4 p.m., Cartersville Medical Center, 960 Joe Frank Harris Parkway Cartersville, GA 30120 Contact: Tracey Robitshek 678-206-5027
CLARKE Athens Meets the third Tuesday at noon The Bentley Center, 135 Hoyt St. Athens, GA 30601 Contact: Eve Anthony 706-549-4850 Claire Boozer Care available during meeting and lunch provided; Must RSVP
COBB Austell Last Tuesday of month at 7 p.m. at Presbyterian Village-Magnolia Room, 2000 East-West Connector Austell, GA 30106 Contact JoAnn Akers 770-394-0675; Marietta meets on the first Monday from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Aloha to Aging, Inc. 4608 Lower Roswell Rd. Marietta, GA 30068 Contact: Dawn Reed 678-777-7241 dawn@alohatoaging.org; Marietta meets first Monday from 7p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Atherton Place, 111 Tower Rd. Marietta, GA 30060 Contact: Rev. Elata Dowdy 770-793-5004
DEKALB Atlanta-Emory meets on the third Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Glenn Memorial UMC (on the campus of Emory University) 1660 N Decatur Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30307 Contact: Rev. Susan Pinson 404-634-3936;Decatur meets the third Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Briarlake Baptist Church 3715 LaVista Road Decatur, GA 30033 Contact: Jeanie Christian 404-821-0500 jeanieamy1@hotmail.com; Decatur meets third Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Peace Baptist Church 4000 Covington Hwy Decatur, GA 30032 Contact Pat Murphy 404-288-1750 or Pmurphy07@bellsouth.net; Dunwoody For caregivers of persons diagnosed with a dementia under the age of 65 (Younger Onset) meets the first Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Alzheimer’s Assn, GA Chapter 41 Perimeter Center East; Ste 550 Atlanta, GA 30346 Contact: Kayley Fleming 800-272-3900; Young Adults- Ages 18-35 with a parent diagnosed with a dementia meets the third Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at alternate locations. Contact: Kara Johnson, kjohnson1@alz.org; meets second Thursday 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Dunwoody UMC 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 Contact: Jo Ann Akers 770-394-0675; Shallowford meets each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Rd., NE Heritage Hall Atlanta, GA 30345 Contact: Robby Carroll 404-321-1844 x 250 Ann King 678-684-3946;
FULTON Alpharetta meets the third Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Arbor Terrace at Crabapple 12200 Crabapple Road Alpharetta, GA 30022 Contact: Deidre Knotts 404-310-4564 or safehavendk@gmail.com; Atlanta – Buckhead meets the second Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30305 Contact: Moira Keller 404-605-3867; Meets the fourth Monday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wieuca Road Baptist Church, Heritage Room, 3626 Peachtree Rd. Atlanta, GA 30326 Contact: Moira Keller 404-605-3867; meets third Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunrise at Buckhead, 1000 Lenox Park Boulevard, NE Second Floor Activities Room Atlanta, GA 30319 Contact: Pat Bojarski 770-963-2056; Atlanta – South meets the fourth Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., New Life Presbyterian Church, 6600 Old National Hwy. Atlanta, GA 30349 Contact: Wanda Patterson 404-735-9377 wrowepat@bellsouth.net; Atlanta – Southwest meets first Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Asbury Harris Epworth Towers, 3033 Continental Colony Pkwy, SW Atlanta, GA 30331 Contact: Kristie Elmore 404-729-0629; Roswell meets the fourth Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., St. George Village, 11350 Woodstock Rd., Roswell, GA 30075 Contact: Laura Cayce 770-643-1712 or laurac@caravita.com; FULTON Roswell meets the fourth Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., North Fulton Hospital, 3000 Hospital Blvd Roswell, GA 30076 Contact: Christine Cavanaugh 404-786-3433 or Christine@myseniorprovisions.com;
GWINNETT Duluth meets the second Thursday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sugarloaf United Methodist Church; 1795 Old Peachtree Road, Duluth, GA 30097 Contact Suzanne Walker 770-513-0761 or Karen Decker 404-695-4887; Norcross meets third Monday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Noble Village 5701, Spalding Drive Norcross, GA 30092, Contact: Nike Aremu 678-296-0258 or Nike.aremu@hisgriphomecare.com; Snellville meets fourth Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., SarahCare of Snellville, 1567 Janmar Road, Snellville, GA 30078 Contact: Susan Munroe 770-685-6971;
HALL Oakwood meets second Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 2920 Landrum Education Drive, Oakwood, GA 30506 Contact: Debbie Swanson 770-540-2057 or lighthouse013@charter.net
HENRY McDonough meets the fourth Tuesday* from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, McDonough, GA 30252, Contact: Sylvia Dennis 678-713-6720or sdennis230@gmail.com * Note: Usually meets the 4th Tuesday of each month, but call to verify.
Source: Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
About the Author
