Support Groups
We offer monthly support groups for family members and care partners of people living with dementia. During the pandemic, we are offering these groups through Zoom.
We know that each unique diagnosis affects care partners and family members differently so we offer three support groups based on diagnosis or age of onset: Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Younger-Onset Dementia. The support groups are facilitated by Mesulam Center social work staff. Group participants benefit by sharing experiences, feelings, coping strategies, learning new information about practical solutions and resources, and getting a better understanding of what to expect in the future.
New care partners are always welcome to join the group. There is no fee to participate.
For Care Partners of Individuals Living with PPA
This monthly support group is for family members and care partners of people living with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and is held on the first Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. CT.
If you have not been to the group before and would like to join, please contact Darby Morhardt, PhD, LCSW, d-morhardt@northwestern.edu, 312-908‐9432, for a brief telephone screening.
For Care Partners of Individuals Living with FTD
This monthly support group is for family members and care partners of people living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and is held on the third Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. CT.
If you have not been to the group before and would like to join, please contact Lauren Dowden, MSW, LCSW, lauren.dowden@northwestern.edu, 312-503‐5761, for a brief telephone screening.
For Care Partners of Individuals Living with Younger-Onset Dementia
This monthly support group is for family members and care partners of people living with younger-onset (under age 65) dementia, and is held on the second Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. CT.
If you have not been to the group before and would like to join, please contact Kate Lucca, MSW, LCSW, kaitlyn.lucca@northwestern.edu, 312-503-5764, for a brief telephone screening.