Support Groups

Feeling isolated? Wish you could connect with more people who understand? 

It's still possible.

A virtual support group is available now to help you through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join the YYC Dementia Support Group on Facebook.

Regardless of where you are in your journey, there is a broader community of support available for you in Calgary and surrounding areas. Support groups empower you to share your story, connect with others facing similar situations and discuss strategies. It’s a safe place to talk about your experiences as well as a place for laughter, insight and healing.

Consider joining a support group in your local community. The Alzheimer Society of Calgary has several support groups led by experienced facilitators who can provide valuable comfort, support, connections and resources to help with the journey.

For care partners, family members and friends:

• NW Caregiver Support Group
• SW Caregiver Support Group
• Varsity Group
• Centre 70 Support Group (Alzheimer Main Office)

Note: Pre-registration is required.

Please call 403-290-0110 (Toll-Free 1-877-569-4357)

Email findsupport@alzheimercalgary.ca for further information.

Family Caregiver Center

• The Family Caregiver Centre provides a coordinated source of information, education and support for care partners, including library and internet access; family caregiver education; supportive counselling and community development.
  • Phone: (403) 955-1674
  • Email: family.caregivercentre@albertahealthservices.ca
  • Online: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/Page13155.aspx
  • Address: Bridgeland Seniors Health Centre: 1070 McDougall Rd NE, Calgary

Counselling Services throughout the Calgary area

• Calgary Access Mental Health (403) 943-1500
• Community Addiction and Mental Health Services – rural communities 1-877-652-4700
• Calgary Counselling Centre (403) 265-4980
• The Way In (403) 736-4677
• Calgary Women’s Health Collective (403) 265-9590
• Catholic Family Services (403) 233-2360
• Distress Centre (24 hours) (403) 266-4357
• Eastside Family Centre (403) 299-9699
• Foothills Community Counselling (High River) (403) 603-3549
• Jewish Family Service (403) 287-3510
   

Crisis Support Services

Health Link and Dementia Advice Line

• Health Link is a 24/7 phone line where you can connect quickly and easily with a Registered Nurse. They will ask questions, assess symptoms, and determine the best care for you.
• Part of Health Link is a Dementia Advice Team which is comprised of Registered Nurses who can suggest strategies to help manage dementia-related challenges, recommend supports and assistance and provide self-care tips for caregivers.
  • Dial 8-1-1 or Canada-wide (toll-free) at 1-866-408-5465
  • https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/healthinfo/link/index.html

Distress Centre Calgary

• Crisis Line 24 hours/day – 7 days a week
• Provides crisis intervention as well as information and referral services through four core programs: crisis lines, 2-1-1 telephone helpline, professional counselling and public education.
  • (403) 266-4357
  • info@distresscentre.ab.ca
  • www.distresscentre.com

Mental Health Help Line

• Alberta Mental Health - Crisis Line 24 hours/day – 7 days a week
• Provides crisis intervention, information on mental health programs and services and referrals to other agencies.
  • Toll-free 1-877-303-2642
  • info@amhb.ab.ca
  • https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=6810&serviceAtFacilityID=1047134

Mobile Response Team

• The Mobile Response Team (MRT) is an outreach team of nurses, social workers and psychologists available to the general public to assist during times of crisis or distress. The team works in close contact with the Distress Centre, city hospitals, Calgary Police Service and current supports including counsellors, doctors and psychiatrists. They’re focused on providing services to individuals and families living in the Calgary Health Region. The team provides crisis prevention, urgent psychiatric assessment, crisis intervention and crisis follow-up.
  • Access via Distress Centre Calgary by calling (403) 266-4357
  • mobileresponse.team@albertahealthservices.ca
  • https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?Id=432 

Alberta Health Services Grief Support Program

• The Grief Support Program offers individual counselling and group counselling to adults who have experienced the death of a loved one and need support. And grief counselling is offered to people within the Calgary area who have lost a family member or significant other including a child, sibling, parent or spouse; and families who have experienced a loss through suicide or other traumatic means.
  • Phone: 403-955-8011
  • Online: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page13161.aspx
  • Address: Bob Glasgow Grief Support Centre, 1820 Richmond Road SW, Calgary, AB T2T-5C7

Hospice Calgary – Grief Support for Children and Teenagers

• Hospice Calgary provides support for children, teenagers and their families who have experienced a loss through death - whether sudden, accidental or anticipated.
  • Phone: (403) 263-4525
  • Email: info@hospicecalgary.com
  • Online: www.hospicecalgary.com
  • Address: 1245 - 70 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 2X8

Other Grief Support
Care centres near you may have family support programs. Community churches and funeral homes may also provide or sponsor grief/bereavement groups.