For many people, meeting others living with dementia was a turning point in finding hope. They realise the person living with dementia is a normal regular person, who continues their life and manages the ups and downs of dementia symptoms. You can meet other people with dementia online (e.g. in a virtual peer-to-peer support group, at a Dementia Alliance International meeting, or at an online webinar), or in-person through a support group, or through family and/or friends.
A dementia peer support group allows people with dementia to share experiences and support one another. There may also be people without dementia (e.g. carers or a professional facilitator) as part of the group. People with dementia find peer support groups helpful and reassuring as they can learn and share advice, strategies and stories with people going through the same experiences.
“It saved my life”
Other ways to ‘meet’ people living meaningful lives with dementia:
- Explore the stories section of this website where people with dementia share their experiences between 2 and 10 years after diagnosis.
- Dementia Australia have shared these videos about people living with dementia and actively making the most of life on the Living Well with Dementia website.
- Read blogs of people with dementia (e.g. Dementia Diaries, #StillHere).
- Learn more about how others continue to live their lives meaningfully by listening to Bernd Heise’s story, and Helen Rochford-Brennan’s story.
- Call the Dementia Australia (free call) 1800 100 500 to find out about the support group options and programs you might be interested in.
- Sign up for a support group through Professionals with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia Alliance International.
Join a support group to learn from others
Meet other people who have been recently diagnosed with dementia through Dementia Australia, Dementia Alliance International or Professionals with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dementia Alliance International (DAI) is a collaboration of like-minded people living with dementia who provide a unified voice of strength, advocacy, and support in the fight for individual autonomy for people with dementia. DAI was established to provide education and awareness about dementia, to eradicate stigma and discrimination, and to improve the quality of the lives of people with dementia.
DAI runs online peer-to-peer support groups, as well as hosts virtual cafes and educational webinars series for members around the world. Membership and services are free for people with dementia.
Professionals with Alzheimer’s Disease (PALZ) is a support organisation established to ensure people from high-powered work environments with early stages of dementia, can participate within a socially and intellectually stimulating environment. PALZ runs groups in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
