Free community program
Free monthly groups at three of our communities
Run by the Alzheimer’s Association and open to anyone on Oʻahu caring for a family member or friend with memory loss. You don’t need a loved one living at The Plaza to come.
- No cost
- Open to the public
- Meets monthly
- Led by the Alzheimer’s Association
What to expect
A room full of people who already get it
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia is hard in ways that are difficult to explain to anyone who hasn’t done it. These groups exist so you don’t have to explain.
Each group meets once a month for about 90 minutes. Trained facilitators from the Alzheimer’s Association lead the conversation. People talk through what’s working, what isn’t, and what they’re worried about. Some caregivers come every month for years. Some come once, get the answer they needed, and move on. Both are fine.
What’s said in the group stays in the group. There’s no cost, no pressure, and nothing to sign up for beyond the meeting itself.
If you’ve never been to one of these before, you’ll be in good company. Most people at their first meeting haven’t either, and nobody has to talk. Plenty of people listen the first time and don’t say a word until the second or third visit.
The Alzheimer’s Association runs these groups. The Plaza provides the space. Our team isn’t in the room, and no one is going to pitch you on senior living.
Where and when
Three groups across Oʻahu
Pick whichever is easiest to get to. You’re not limited to the one closest to home.
Upcoming meetings
They’re spread across the month, so if one date doesn’t work another usually isn’t far behind.
When a meeting falls on a holiday, the Alzheimer’s Association lets the group know the alternate date.
Mililani Caregiver Support Group
Central Oʻahu Caregiver Support Group
Kaneʻohe Caregiver Support Group
Good to know
A few things before you register
- These groups are for unpaid family caregivers. If you’re a paid or professional caregiver, call the Alzheimer’s Association at (808) 591-2771 and ask about programs built for you.
- The meeting is for you, not the person you care for. Please arrange care or supervision for your loved one during the meeting. The Alzheimer’s Association runs separate programs designed for people living with dementia, and they’d be glad to tell you about them.
- Space is limited. These groups work best at eight to twelve people, so seats can fill up and a waitlist is sometimes needed. Register early if you can.
- Any form of memory loss counts. Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Lewy body, frontotemporal, or a diagnosis still being sorted out. You’re welcome either way.
How to join
Signing up takes about two minutes
Registration is handled by the Alzheimer’s Association, not by The Plaza.
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Reach out to Gina
Email geplummer@alz.org or call (808) 591-2771. Gina Plummer is the Care and Support program manager for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Hawaiʻi Chapter, and she coordinates all three groups.
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Say which group you want
Mililani, Pearl City, or Kaneʻohe. If you’re not sure which works best, say so and she’ll help you figure it out.
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Get your spot confirmed
She’ll confirm you’re on the list, or let you know if that group is full and put you on the waitlist. Then just show up.
Thinking about just showing up? At Kaneʻohe you can. Sign-up isn’t required there, and you can register at the door. Check in with the concierge and she’ll walk you to the activity room. Mililani and Pearl City do ask that you register in advance, since seats are limited.
If you need help sooner
The next meeting might be weeks away. This line isn’t.
The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline is free and staffed around the clock, every day of the year, with support available in more than 200 languages. You can call about a crisis at 2 a.m. or a question you’ve been sitting on for a month.
More Oʻahu programs and resources are at alz.org/hawaii.
More free help
Free classes, on top of the groups
The Alzheimer’s Association of Hawaiʻi runs a full slate of free classes for families, caregivers, and anyone who just wants to understand dementia better. These are separate from the support groups above and you register for them directly with the Association. The ones most useful to families are below, and the full schedule has more.
Understanding dementia and brain health
Open to families, community members, and the general public.
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10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s30 or 60 min
How to recognize early signs in yourself or someone else, and how to raise it with a doctor.
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Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia30 or 60 min
The difference between the two, the stages, risk factors, and where treatment stands now.
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Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body30 or 60 min
What the research says about diet, exercise, and staying socially connected as you age.
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Building Brain-Healthy Habits60 min
Research-backed habits that protect cognitive health, and why starting at any age helps.
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Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances60 min
Handling someone else’s finances and planning ahead for the cost of care.
The Empowered Caregiver series
Skill-building for people actively caring for someone with dementia. Take one on its own or work through the whole series.
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Building Foundations of Caregiving60 min
What the caregiving role asks of you, how to build a support team, and managing your own stress.
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Communicating Effectively60 min
How dementia changes communication, and how to talk with family, friends, and doctors about it.
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Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors60 min
Reading behavior changes as communication, and non-medical ways to respond to them.
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Supporting Independence60 min
Helping someone stay involved in daily life while balancing safety and independence.
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Exploring Care and Support Services60 min
Preparing for decisions ahead, including respite care, residential care, and end-of-life care.
The support groups and classes on this page are programs of the Alzheimer’s Association, Hawaiʻi Chapter.
The Plaza provides the meeting space. Scheduling, facilitation, and registration are handled by the Association.
Looking into memory care too?
Haliʻa Memory Care is our specialized program for residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, built on the Best Friends Approach®. No pressure either way, but if you’re starting to look, it’s a good place to start reading.
