Caring for a loved one can bring a mix of emotions—puzzlement, sadness, anger, and even guilt. The people who best understand these feelings and can provide the most helpful tips are those who are going through the same experiences. That’s why joining a support group can be so valuable. The Arizona Caregiver Coalition partners with various organizations that offer a wide variety of support groups across the state, covering different topics such as general caregiving, Alzheimer’s, autism, and more. Whether you're looking for emotional support, practical advice, or simply a community that understands, there's a group to help you on your caregiving journey.
The Benevilla Day Center offers several caregiver support groups designed to provide emotional support, physical wellness, and grief guidance for caregivers in all kinds of situations.
General Caregiving Support meets every Thursday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Willowbrook United Methodist Church in Sun City. This group is for caregivers of loved ones with various diagnoses who seek encouragement and connection with others.
Life During Loss is held every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM at St. Clement of Rome Church in Sun City. This group supports those experiencing or anticipating the loss of a loved one within the next 12-24 months or who have recently lost a loved one.
Staying Strong: Strengthening the Caregiver occurs on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Benefitness Adaptive Gym in Surprise, AZ. This session focuses on fitness and functional movements to aid caregivers in both self-care and caregiving. It’s limited to 12 participants, and you can sign up by emailing supportgroups@benevilla.org or calling 623-526-4404.
For more information, use the links below to find out more.
Care 4 the Caregiver offers two online support groups tailored for caregivers raising children with disabilities:
Caregivers with Children 0-12: This group is for caregivers raising children with disabilities between the ages of 0-12. It meets virtually every other Thursday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Arizona time).
Caregivers with Children 13+: For caregivers of children with disabilities aged 13 and older, this group meets virtually every other Wednesday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Arizona time).
Both groups provide a supportive environment for caregivers to connect and share experiences. You can sign up for by registering on their online form, click the links below to find out more and sign up.
Duet offers several general support groups to help caregivers manage the challenges of caring for loved ones.
Virtual Support Group: Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (MST).
In-Person Support in Scottsdale: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Via Linda Senior Center in Scottsdale.
In-Person Support in the West Valley: Meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Goodyear.
These groups provide a space for caregivers to connect and receive support from others facing similar challenges. No registration or sign-up is required to attend any of Duet's support groups. Whether you choose to join virtually or in person, you're welcome to simply attend the sessions that work best for you. These groups are designed to be easily accessible, providing caregivers with the support they need without any additional steps. Visit the links below for more information.
Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) provides caregiver support groups to help caregivers build a support system and manage caregiving challenges.
In-Person Support in Snowflake-Taylor: Meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month at 9:00 AM at the Silver Creek Senior Center, 1658 Main St, Snowflake, AZ.
Virtual Support Group: Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2:00 PM. You can register by scanning the provided QR code or visiting the registration link.
These groups provide caregivers with a space to connect, share experiences, and gain valuable support. Visit the NACOG website or contact Kimberly Whitley at 928-515-3532 or kwhitley@nacog.org for more details.
Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) offers various caregiver support groups to provide emotional support and connection for caregivers managing the demands of caring for loved ones.
In-Person Support in Oro Valley: Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM at the Impact of Southern Arizona Activity Center conference room.
In-Person Support in East Tucson: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at the PCOA Lupu Building in the CALC conference room.
In-Person Support in North Tucson: Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at AARP Arizona, 6700 N. Oracle Rd.
In-Person Support in Midtown Tucson: Meets on the 3rd Monday of each month from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at the PCOA Dusenberry Center.
In-Person Support in Southwest Tucson: Meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Tucson Estates Recreation Center.
In-Person Support in Green Valley: Meets on the 3rd Friday of each month from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Friends Indeed, 301 W. Camino Casa Verde.
Virtual Support Groups: Multiple virtual meetings are available on Zoom, including on the 1st and 3rd Thursday, and the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.
RSVP is required for all meetings. Participants can RSVP by contacting the Support Group Facilitator, Tonetta Clay, by phone at (520) 305-3405 or via email at tclay@pcoa.org. For in-person meetings, social distancing is observed, and mask-wearing is optional.These groups provide a space for caregivers to connect, share experiences, and gain the support they need. Visit the PCOA website for more details.
Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) offers a virtual caregiver support group to help caregivers manage the emotional stress of caregiving.
Virtual Support Group: WACOG has partnered with Elaine K Sanchez, author and founder of CaregiverHelp.com, to offer an ongoing virtual support group that meets every other Wednesday at 10:00 AM (PDT).
What to Expect: Participants can expect engaging videos, small breakout groups for connection, and workbook prompts to develop self-care plans. The group also provides strategies for coping with negative feelings and the emotional challenges of caregiving. Topics range from managing frustration and fatigue to dealing with grief and depression.
Start Date: New sessions begin on October 30, 2024, and run through August 6, 2025, though participants can join at any time. You can register through the form provided on their support group webpage.
Cost: Free to all caregivers. This program offers a supportive environment with practical tools to help caregivers navigate their caregiving journey.
For more information, contact WACOG at 928-377-4963 or 928-271-7158.
