On the Cape and Islands, there are myriad ways to meet and connect with new friends. There are performances, classes, Senior Centers, citizen science teams and we hope that older adults will participate in all these activities and more. If that seems like too much, then consider carving out just a couple hours a month to join a peer support group. Below, you’ll find an extensive listing of options available in our service area. This May, make connecting with your peers your superpower!
Caregiver Support
- Elder Services of Cape Cod & Islands Family Caregiver Virtual Support Group: Meets every Tuesday from 10am – 11am over Zoom. Call 508-258-2476 to register.
- Elder Services of Cape Cod & Islands Family Caregiver Support Group In-Person: Meets every Wednesday at the Barnstable Adult Community Center from 9:30am – 11am. Call 508-258-2476 to register.
- gov: A list of supports for caregivers including support groups can be found at: mass.gov/support-for-family-caregivers.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support
- Cape Cod Family Resource Center: Offers monthly grandparent raising grandchildren group on the 3rd Tuesday every month. Registration is required 508-815-5100 or visit https://capecodfamilyresourcecenter.org/family-support.
- The Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition: Offers individual and group support. Call (508) 771-4336 or visit https://capecoalition.com.
- Cape Cod Foster Closet: Can provide material (clothing, toys, baby equipment, etc.) and emotional support for grandparents raising grandchildren. https://capecodfostercloset.org.
- Grandparent Guardian Collaborative: Website offering great resources for grandparents raising grandchildren https://ggcollaborative.org.
- Cape Cod Children’s Place: Scholarships for early education tuition assistance and many resources regarding children’s growth and behavior. Visit capecodchildrensplace.com or call (508) 240-3310.
Dementia & Alzheimer’s Support
- Cape Cod Healthcare: Offers individual or family support. Contact by calling 774-552-6080 or email dementiainfo@capecodhealth.org
- Alzheimer’s Association Online Support Group: Register online at www.ALZConnected.org. This is for both caregivers and people living with dementia.
- Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group: (South Dennis) In-person support group for caregivers the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
- Alzheimer’s Association Support Group for Caregivers in the Orleans Area: Located at the Terraces in Orleans (60 Daley’s Terrace, Orleans) on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month in person.
- Alzheimer’s Association Support Group for Caregivers in the Sandwich Area: Meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month in person.
- Alzheimer’s Family Support Center Support Group for Adult Children Caregivers: Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 5pm – 6pm virtually. Call 508-896-5170 or email info@capecodalz.org for more information.
- Alzheimer’s Family Support Center Support Group for Caregivers of Early-Stage Dementia: Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 5pm – 6pm virtually. Call 508-896-5170 or email info@capecodalz.org for more information.
- Alzheimer’s Family Support Center Men’s Caregiver Support Group: Meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 11am – 12pm in person and 1:30pm – 2:30pm virtually. Call 508-896-5170 or email info@capecodalz.org for more information.
- Alzheimer’s Family Support Center: Check with your local Council on Aging or the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center directly (508-896-5170) to see when their caregiver / person living with dementia and Alzheimer’s support groups meet.
- Alzheimer’s Association Helpline: For support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can call 800-272-3900 or dial 711 to connect with a telecommunications relay service (TRS) for people who are deaf, heard of hearing or speech impaired. This is a free service where you can connect with a live person who can provide resources, crisis assistance and emotional support.
Parkinson’s Support
- Cape Cod Virtual Support Group: Meets 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10-11:15am. This support group is currently meeting via Zoom, so call the facilitator to sign up by calling 800-651-8466 or email apdama@apdaparkinson.org.
- Falmouth Support Group: 1st Monday of the month from 11-12pm. This group meets in person, please contact facilitators for further details at 508-274-3917.
- Martha’s Vineyard / West Tisbury / Vineyard Isle Parkinsonians (VIPs): Meets 2nd Monday of the month from 10:30am – 11:30am virtually. Contact facilitator to register 508-693-2896.
- Contact your local Council on Aging to see if they have a Parkinson’s support group.
Brain Injury Support
- Community Support Associates: Provides support to individuals living with a brain injury. Call for more information 508-790-7818.
- Brain Injury Caregivers Support Group: Meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 1pm – 3pm at the Brewster Ladies Library.
- Post-Concussion Support Group: For survivors of a brain injury, meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 10:30am – 12:30pm at the Cape Cod Commercial Fisherman’s Alliance.
- Brain Injury Support Group: Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month for survivors, caregivers, and family members from 10am – 12pm at the Cotuit Public Library.
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Adult Post-Concussion Support Group: A support group for survivors and meets the first Wednesday of the month from 10:30am – 12pm.
- Mild Brain Injury / Aneurysm Support Group: A support group for survivors the second Saturday of the month at the Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich from 2pm – 4pm.
- “Friday Night Out” Support Group: This support group is focused on survivors, but caregivers/family members can split off and meet separately. Meets the 3rd Friday of the month at St. Barnabus Episcopal Church in Falmouth from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
- Spaulding Orleans Brain Injury Support Group: A support group for survivors that meets the first Tuesday of the month from 4:30pm – 6pm.
Sight Loss/Visual Impairment Support
- Sight Loss Services Barnstable Support Group: meets the Second Thursday of the month at 11:00am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services Brewster Support Group: meets the second Wednesday of the month at 11:30am Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services Bourne/Falmouth Support Group: meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10:30am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services Dennis Support Group: meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 11:00am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services Eastham/Wellfleet/Orleans Support Group: meets the second Thursday of the month at 10:00am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services Harwich / Chatham Support Group: meets the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services Provincetown / Truro Support Group: meets the third Friday of the month at 9:30am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services Sandwich / Mashpee Support Group: meets the fourth Monday of the month at 10:00am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register
- Sight Loss Services Sandwich Support Group: meets the second Thursday of the month at 10:00am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services Yarmouth Support Group: meets the third Tuesday of the month at 12:30pm. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
- Sight Loss Services offers an All-Cape Wide telephone conference call meeting for those who are uncomfortable with in person meetings for whatever reason. Join in by telephone third Mondays of the month at 10:30am. Please call 508-394-3904 or email info@sightloss.org to register.
Cancer Support
- Cape Cod Healthcare: 508-862-5300 Support groups and local resources.
- Cape Cod Wellness Collaborative: (774) 408-8477. Access treatments for both individuals living with cancer and their caregivers.
- American Cancer Society: 1-800-227-2345 Provides support for individuals living with cancer and caregivers.