Support groups can help caregivers manage stress and take time for self-care. The opportunity to offer and receive encouragement, learn new coping skills and connect with resources can be invaluable.
Support groups are sorted by region below. This list is intended to serve as a general guide for groups sponsored by Riverside as well as others offered throughout our communities. We recommend using the phone numbers and links to learn more about a group that could meet your needs. Be sure to verify locations before making plans or traveling. All the information here is subject to change.
Alzheimer's disease
- The Caregivers Support Group meets regularly in the Heritage Hall Conference Room at 9468 Hospital Ave., Nassawadox, VA 23413. Learn more by calling 757-302-2128.
- The Eastern Shore Alzheimer's Care Support Group meets regularly at Commonwealth Senior Living at Eastern Shore at 23610 North St., Onancock, VA 23417. Learn more by calling 757-787-4343.
Grief support
- The Riverside Shore Hospice Grief Support Group meets at various locations, including Cape Charles, Oak Hall, Onley, Chincoteague, Exmore and Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital — as well as on Tangier as needed. Call 757-789-5000 for more information.
- The Grief Support Group meets regularly at 18469 Parksley Ave., Parksley, VA 23421. Learn more by calling 757-665-5041, ext. 204.
Substance abuse
- Alcoholics Anonymous, a recovery program for alcoholics. Call 757-710-8821 or go to aavirginia.org to find a meeting schedule.
- Al-Anon, a recovery program for those affected by another person's drinking. Find an Al-Anon meeting near you.
- Narcotics Anonymous, a fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Find a Narcotics Anonymous meeting near you.
Alzheimer's disease
The Gloucester Caregiver Support Group has morning and evening meetings at 7335 Lewis Ave., Gloucester, VA 23061. Learn more by accessing the Community Resource Finder provided by the Alzheimer's Association. (Use "Gloucester" as your search term.) You can also call 1-800-272-3900.
The Caregivers Support Group meets regularly at two locations:
- Gloucester County Library at 6920 Main St., Gloucester, VA 23061.
- Bethany United Methodist Church, 1860 Hayes Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062.
Call 804-446-5857 to learn more.
Dementia
The Persons with Dementia support group meets regularly at the Gloucester County Library at 6920 Main St., Gloucester, VA 23061. Call 804-446-5857 to learn more.
Substance abuse
- Alcoholics Anonymous, a recovery program for alcoholics. Find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you.
- Al-Anon, a recovery program for those affected by another person's drinking. Find an Al-Anon meeting near you.
- Narcotics Anonymous, a fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Find a Narcotics Anonymous meeting near you.
Alzheimer's disease
The Caregivers Support Group offers meetings at various locations, outlined below. Call 804-446-5857 to learn more.
- Essex Public Library, 117 N. Church Lane, Tappahannock, VA 22560
- Commonwealth at Farnham Standard, 511 Cedar Grove Road, Farnham, VA 22460
- Commonwealth Senior Living, 460 Main St., Kilmarnock, VA 22482
- Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington, VA 22480
You can also search for many of these meeting schedules using the Community Resource Finder provided by the Alzheimer's Association. (Use town name — i.e., Tappahannock, Kilmarnock — as your search term.) You can also call 1-800-272-3900.
Brain injury
The Brain Injury Association Northern Neck Support Group meets at Bay Transit Office, 111 Commerce Parkway, Warsaw, VA 22572. Contact Martha Hall at 804-370-1802 or [email protected].
Dementia
The Dementia Support Group meets at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington, VA 22480. Call 804-493-0238 to learn more.
Grief support
Grief support meetings are held regularly at the Bay Center for Spiritual Development, 31 Noblett Lane, Kilmarnock, VA 22482. Call 804-436-3191 or view the calendar of events.
Substance abuse
- Alcoholics Anonymous, a recovery program for alcoholics. Find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you.
- Al-Anon, a recovery program for those affected by another person's drinking. Find an Al-Anon meeting near you.
- Narcotics Anonymous, a fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Find a Narcotics Anonymous meeting near you.
Alzheimer's disease
Find a local online or phone support group meeting by accessing the Community Resource Finder provided by the Alzheimer's Association. (Enter your zip code and filter to find groups in your area.) You can also call 1-800-272-3900.
Caregiver counseling
Riverside's FAMILIES program uses a nationally recognized evidence-based protocol to support those caring for a loved one with dementia. There are counselor fees associated with this program. Learn more about FAMILIES.
Brain injury
The Brain Injury Support Group meets monthly at Riverside Rehabilitation Hospital, 250 Josephs Drive, Yorktown, VA 23692. Learn more about the Brain Injury Support Group or call 757-814-4110.
The Brain Injury Association Newport News Survivor and Family Group meets at the Denbigh House, 12725 McManus Blvd., Suite 2E, Newport News, VA 23602. Call 757-722-9881, ext. 231 or email [email protected].
Frontotemporal dementia
The Frontotemporal Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets monthly at Riverside Neurology Specialists, Conference Room, 850 Enterprise Parkway, Hampton, VA. Learn more about the Frontotemporal Dementia Caregiver Support Group or call 757-637-7500.
Multiple sclerosis
The MS Support Group meets regularly at the Riverside Medical Office Building Neurosciences Conference Room at 12200 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601. Learn more about the MS Support Group or call Riverside Nurse at 757-875-7880.
Parkinson's disease
The Parkinson's Support Group meets regularly at the Riverside Medical Office Building Neurosciences Conference Room at 12200 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601. Learn more about the Parkinson's Support Group or call Riverside Nurse at 757-875-7880.
Stroke
The Stroke Survivors and Care Partners Support Group meets monthly in Conference Room C at Riverside Regional Medical Center, 500 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601. To learn more, contact Sara Watkins at 757-612-8278.
The Stroke Education Group is for inpatients at Riverside Rehabilitation Hospital who have had a stroke. Families are welcomed as well as survivors and their caregivers in the community. Learn more about the Stroke Education Group or call 757-814-4110.
The Stroke Survivor and Care Partner Support Group is open to stroke survivors, care partners and others dealing with the effects of a stroke. Meetings are at Riverside Rehabilitation Hospital, South Dayroom, 250 Josephs Drive, Yorktown, VA 23692. Learn more about the Stroke Survivor and Care Partner Support Group or call 757-814-4110.
Substance abuse
- Alcoholics Anonymous, a recovery program for alcoholics. There are several meeting sites in the Peninsula area. Find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you. You can also go to vapsc.org/meetings to find meeting schedules for other Peninsula-based AA groups.
- Al-Anon, a recovery program for those affected by another person's drinking. Find an Al-Anon meeting near you.
- Narcotics Anonymous, a fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. There are several options in the Virginia Peninsula area. Learn more about Narcotics Anonymous.
Alzheimer's disease
Find a support group meeting near you by accessing the Community Resource Finder provided by the Alzheimer's Association. (Use town name — i.e., Williamsburg — as search term.) You can also call 1-800-272-3900.
Brain injury
The Brain Injury Association of Virginia Williamsburg Support Group meets at Riverside Doctors' Hospital Williamsburg, 1500 Commonwealth Ave., Williamsburg, VA 23185. Contact Kyle Sargent at 757-912-7514 or [email protected].
Parkinson's
The Williamsburg Parkinson's Support Group meets monthly at Riverside Doctors' Hospital Williamsburg, 1500 Commonwealth Ave., Williamsburg, VA 23185. Learn more by calling Riverside Neurology & Sleep Specialists at 757-221-0110. More information may also be found on our Riverside events calendar.
Substance abuse
- Alcoholics Anonymous, a recovery program for alcoholics. Find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you.
- Al-Anon, a recovery program for those affected by another person's drinking. Find an Al-Anon meeting near you.
Alzheimer's disease
- There are a number of virtual Caregiver Support Groups available. Please visit the Alzheimer's Association website to find a group.