In-Person Support Group Guidelines

Support Group Purpose and Goals

• Groups are facilitated by an Alzheimer Society Toronto staff member (Social Worker) and are made up of individual members caring for people in varying stages of dementia coming together to provide each other with mutual support and encouragement
• Members gather in a safe and caring environment and may: share present joys, fears and challenges, including helpful coping strategies; share experiences and feelings; learn about helpful resources and community services; hear about advances in research and advocacy
• Groups can help members to: maintain and increase feelings of self-worth, empowerment, and control; experience emotional relief; feel less alone; develop greater self-awareness and understanding; acquire new and more hopeful perspectives; form new and meaningful relationships; remember that laughter, self-care, and planning for the future are essential to wellbeing

Confidentiality & Respect

• Confidentiality is paramount; personal information is not discussed outside the group and there is no audio/video recording or photographing of the group or group members
• Kindly respect all group members and the facilitator(s); everyone has different values, experiences, and resources; a member may not agree with a choice or view of another member and that’s okay – remember the objective of the group is mutual support and encouragement

Group Members’ Pledge

• We have the right to share as much or as little as we are comfortable
• We agree to confidentiality and respect; we are considerate of each other
• We listen carefully to others while they are speaking without distraction, interruption, judgement orunsolicited advice
• We affirm how we feel; it’s okay to cry, to become angry, or to laugh
• We can reach out to the group facilitator if we feel unsafe or dislike something about this experience
• We share our time together; we give everyone time to talk; we begin and end on time
• We are aware of Alzheimer Society Toronto policies here: https://alz.to/accountability/#tab-9daf451b69bca6410b0

Preparing & Arriving for Group

• Members are asked to arrive five minutes early, if possible, to ensure time to settle in before the group starts; groups start promptly and members who arrive late may be unable to join 
• Water, notebook and pen are welcome 
• There is no designated break time; however, breaks can be taken as needed