My Mom has moderate dementia and is feeling depressed and lonely. Are there support groups avail. for people like her to get talk it out?

The best therapy for her is social activity with people her own age. They share memories of music, food and history and will talk about it forever.

Thank you for your response. Yes, she has gone to a local senior community center in the past in which she enjoyed very much. She also lives in an independent living facility in which bingo is often played. Her dementia is interfering with her calendar skills and being able to keep up with dates and activities that are planned each month at the senior center as well as her housing facility. She complains that most of the people who live where she does often remain in their apts. and she feels secluded, bored, and lonely. The bingo games that are often played have become difficult for her to enjoy since her cognitive skills are impaired. I'm looking into possibly moving her into a retirement "village" that offers "companion living" so that she is with a room mate. However, that is a considerable cost and we are still pondering that option. Until then, it would greatly help her to have someone to talk to regarding her diagnosis and how to deal with the daily frustrations of it. It is embarrassing to her and she needs a professional or a support group who can fully understand what she is going through to help her. If anyone knows of a professional/support group that she could benefit from please let me know! Thanks so much!

She sounds more suited to Assisted Living, the next step up. When you look at a facility, look at the functional level of the residents and the activities that are offered. A good facility will interview your patient to make sure their services are matched to the needs. We went to Emeritus Bassett Park, and they spent a good hour talking with her, visited her at home and thoroughly assessed her. She moved in March 1st and is having a very good time on a one month trial. I think she will opt to stay there.

Mthr was very happy when she moved to AL/ Memory Care home. People were just like her, were called to cafe at meal and snack times, and found that she could just hang out in coffee area and be social. There is always someone to talk to, and that helps her.
We did not buy cable service for her room just so that she would be forced to go out for noise and "companionship." When her mind was sharper, she always had on radio or TV so she would not be so lonely. Now she just steps out her door, or her buddies come by on their way for meals to remind her. They are all in the same boat and make a lot of allowances for forgetting. It is very much like her college dorm, actually! :)