Family Support Groups of the Alzheimer's Association: An Analysis of Attendees and Nonattendees

This study contrasted the perceptions about support groups of 96 family caregivers who attend Alzheimer's Association family support groups with those of 40 caregivers who do not attend these groups. Surveys were completed by 78 family caregivers attending 9 separate Alzheimer's disease support groups and by 58 telephone callers to an Alzheimer's Association Helpline (18 attendees and 40 nonattendees). Those who attend these open-ended support groups are almost uniformly positive about their experiences. Compared with those who do not attend support groups, attendees have fewer people in their households, say that the time and location of the support groups are convenient, are more clear about the purpose of support groups, hadsomeone advise them to attend, perceive that groups yield emotional support not received elsewhere, and believe that groups allow them to show concern for others with similar problems. Responses to information/education and convenience categories discriminated attendees from nonattendees.