Support groups for caregivers and others

 
CareText is a text message based program for caregivers of loved ones with dementia in Clay, Cass, Platte, Jackson, and Ray counties. See the flyer for more information: CareText
 

Aging Mastery for Caregivers - a 12-week program specifically for caregivers to make impactful changes in health behaviors. Stay tuned for upcoming course. Contact Ann Kinney, 816-468-0400 x 330 or annk@beaconmh.org .

Caring Connections and Caring Café  

Caring Connections Caregiver Support Group meets the first and third Thursdays of each month (except for holidays and inclement weather) from 10:00-11:00 AM.

Caring Café meets the third Wednesday every other month from 1:00-2:30 PM and provides an educational and informational program to support caregivers in their caregiving journey.

Both Caring Connections and Caring Café meet at Northland Shepherd’s Center (NSC), 5601 NE Antioch Road, Ste. 12, in Gladstone.  Beverages and light snacks are provided.  Group facilitators are Charli Seitz, NSC Caregiver Support Coordinator from Northland Shepherd’s Center, and Ann Kinney, Older Adult Educator from Beacon Mental Health (BeaconMH).

For more information, call Charli at 816-452-4536 or Ann at 816-468-0400 X330.

Grandfamilies Monthly Support Groups

Monthly support groups will be an opportunity to gather with others who are currently in a kinship role, caring for a younger family member in some capacity.  We will feature a variety of speakers in order to provide community resources, coping tips, and guidance on planning for the future. Contact Ann Kinney: 816-468-0400 x 330 or annk@beaconmh.org.

Sandwiched KC

Shared wisdom and monthly support for anyone caring for a loved one. sandwichedkc.com

Heartland Caregiving Conference on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Please see the flyer: Heartland CG 2024.

Liberty Hospital monthly support groups - Please check for current meeting status. www.libertyhospital.org

  • Cancer Support Group - 3rd Tuesdays, 6:00 pm. 816-531-5444.
  • Living after Loss peer support group - 3rd Thursdays at 11:00 am or 5:30 pm; 816-407-2200
  • Huntington's Disease support group - 2nd Mondays at 7:00 pm. Call Rosalie Hamilton at 816-935-4267.
  • Stroke Support Group - 4th Tuesdays at 1:30 pm. 816-792-7268

Alzheimer's Association Support Groups and Programs

Caregiver support group meets on 3rd Wednesdays, 6:00 to 7:00 pm, at The Oxford Grand of Shoal Creek, 8280 N Tullis Ave, KC MO 64158. Call 816-781-8282.

Please locate other local programs in the Community Resource Finder or contact our 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) for details. 

Storybank: This provides an opportunity for caregivers (present and past), individuals with dementia, professionals or anyone with a connection to this disease to share their story. If you are comfortable with sharing your experiences, you can fill out the Storybank form using the link below with your information and connection to Alzheimer’s and other dementia and we may contact you with opportunities to share your story (on our blog, social media, local newspapers and news stations, etc.). The more we share our experiences, the more likely we are to: Let others impacted know they are not alone, challenge the stigma associated with dementia, and raise community awareness. 
Storybank Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yoZv_HCdAOwmf2qkqYgGcXKI5T92lzNIYxmeBM5xEwQ/edit 

Parkinson's Support Groups

  • Wexford Place, 6460 N Cosby Ave., - group meets 2nd Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Call 816-587-5400.
  • Smithville library group, 120 Richardson, meets 4th Mondays at 10:00 am. Call 816-891-1720.
  • For other groups in Missouri or Kansas, contact Kim at 913-341-8828 or knitz@parkinson.org.

More helpful resources for caregivers:

I will fearlessly develop a personal support system of friends and family and remember that others also love my loved one and are willing to help if I let them know what they can do to support my caregiving. (from The Caregiver Manifesto by Gary Barg)