Caregiver Support

Caregiver Support Groups

Caregiver Support Forum

The Family Caregiver Support Program

The Family Caregiver Support Program is available to help caregivers in need of assistance and support. The program is available to all caregivers caring for someone 60 years of age or older, caring for someone under the age of 60 who has a physical disability, developmental disability or mental illness, or caring for someone under the age of 60 with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Services can include individual support, support groups, information and resources, and education.

The Gallagher Alzheimer’s Resource Center is available on site at Elder Services and includes books, brochures, and other related resources on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and caregiving that can be taken out for a nominal refundable deposit. Elder Services is located at 877 South Street, Suite 4E, in Pittsfield. Call (413) 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242 for further information. More Alzheimer Resources

Respite Services

Respite services offer temporary or intermittent care for dependent adults in order to provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members who are the regular caregivers. Respite services can include companion services, volunteer services, Adult Day Health, Supportive Day Care, homemaking, laundry, personal care, and a variety of other services. The cost of respite services is on a sliding scale. For more information call Elder Services (413) 499-0524.

Information & Referral

Elder Services' Information and Referral department maintains an extensive list of agencies and programs that may assist a caregiver, provide respite to a caregiver, provide educational resources, or assistive technology. For more information call Elder Services (413) 499-0524.

Caregiver Support Groups in Berkshire County 2018

• Caregiver Support Group

Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc., 877 South St, Suite 4E; Pittsfield
2nd Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Joseph Choon and Vicky Linscott, Facilitators
413 499-0524

• Caregiver Support Group

Claire Teague Senior Center, 909 Main Street; Great Barrington
3rd Wednesday of the Month. 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Joseph Choon and Vicky Linscott, Facilitators
413-528-1881 or 413-499-0524

• Caregiver Support Group

Spitzer Senior Center, 116 Ashland Street, North Adams
4th Thursday of the month, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Joseph Choon and Vicky Linscott, Facilitators
413 662-3125 or (413) 499-0524

• Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

Fairview Hospital, 29 Lewis Avenue, Great Barrington
3rd Wednesday of the month, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Cara Holcolm
413-787-1113

• Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

Adams COA – Adams Visitor’s Center, 3 Hoosac Street, Adams
2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:00p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Beth Hinkley Mougin, LCSW, Facilitator
413-743-8333

• Early Stage Memory Loss Education & Support Group for Caregivers

Home Instead Senior Care, 66 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield
3rd Thursday of the Month, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Jay Ellis and Donna Smith, Facilitators
Please contact Bobbie Orsi at 413-442-0907: Registration required

• Support Group for People Living with Early Stage Dementia

Home Instead Senior Care, 66 Wendell Ave. Pittsfield
3rd Thursday of the month, 10 AM – 11:30 AM
Please contact Bobbie at 442-0907. Registration required.

• Saturday Coffee and Support Group for Dementia Caregivers

Home Instead Senior Care, 66 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield
1st Saturday of the month, 10:00am – 11:30am
Please contact Bobbi Orsi at 413-442-0907: Registration Required

• Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Group

Kimball Farms Retirement Community, 235 Walker Street; Lenox
2nd Monday of the Month, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (Conference room)
Jackie Tripicco, LCSW, Community Social Worker, Facilitator 413 637-7037: Registration required

• Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

Sugar Hill Assisted Living Facility, 45 Main Street, Dalton
Last Wednesday of the Month, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Dr. Jay Ellis and Ann Shartrand, LSW, Facilitators
413 684-0100

• Alzheimer’s/Memory Impairment Caregiver Support Group

Dalton Senior Center, 40 Field Street Ext., Dalton
3rd Thursday of the Month, 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Meal provided.
Kelly Pizzi, Facilitator
(413) 684-2000: Registration is required

• Caregiver Support Group

Mount Washington, MA
159 East Street, Mount Washington
Cory Hines, Facilitator
1st Wednesday of the month, location varies
Call for locations and times: 413-528-3998

• Caregiver Support Group – South County

Berkshire South Regional Community Center
115 Chrissy Rd., Great Barrington, MA
1st Thursday of the month, 6:30pm-7:30pm
413-243-4747, x1040

• Berkshire Memory Café

St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 414 North Street, Pittsfield
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. once a month.
Call ahead for dates: 413-664-9382, x34 or BFAIR.org

Other Support

• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

First United Methodist Church, 55 Fenn Street, Pittsfield
Every other Monday (adjusts with holidays), 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Ella Deane, Facilitator: 413-464-0484 or 413-344-7127
On-site childcare provided

• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

The Family Place, 61 Main St #218, North Adams
Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 5:30p.m.-7:30p.m.
For more info, call Donna Senecal 413-663-7588

Other Program (ongoing or periodic: call for information)

• Memories in the Making

Art therapy program for memory impaired individuals
plus support group for caregivers
413-224-8127 for schedule Alzheimer’s association

• ALZ Meet Ups   Small, organized group activities designed to connect
  individuals with mild memory loss through enjoyable experiences, such as visits to local museums.
  Alzheimer’s Association: 800-272-3900