Dementia Carer Support Group in Brisbane South | Ground Zero Counselling

The Southside Dementia Sharing Circle is an initiative of the Brisbane Southside Dementia Network and proudly sponsored by the Brisbane City Council’s Age- Friendly Community Development Grant.

Why Support Groups Matter for Dementia Carers

Caring for someone living with dementia can be one of the most loving and meaningful roles a person will ever undertake. It can also be one of the most emotionally exhausting, isolating, and overwhelming experiences of life.

Many carers quietly carry enormous responsibility while trying to manage grief, stress, exhaustion, changing family roles, and the uncertainty that dementia brings. Over time, it is common for carers to begin putting their own emotional wellbeing last. This is why support groups matter and have great value for participants.

Research consistently shows that attending support groups can significantly improve emotional wellbeing, reduce feelings of isolation, strengthen coping skills, and help carers feel more supported and understood. Dementia support groups are not simply “a chat over coffee.” They are evidence-based spaces that foster connection, emotional resilience, shared wisdom, and therapeutic support.

The Emotional Impact of Caring for Someone with Dementia

Unlike many other illnesses, dementia often involves a long and gradual process of change and loss. Carers may experience:

• Chronic stress and fatigue

• Anxiety and overwhelm

• Social isolation

• Relationship strain

• Feelings of guilt or helplessness

• Anticipatory grief – (see my previous blog on this)

• Loss of identity outside the caring role

  
  

Many carers describe feeling that “no one really understands” what daily life is like. Friends and family may care deeply, but unless someone has walked the dementia journey themselves, it can feel difficult to explain the emotional complexity involved. As a carer myself, this resonates.  

Evidenced Based Benefits of Dementia Support Groups

One of the strongest findings in dementia support research is the importance of peer connection. A review examining dementia caregiver support groups found that carers benefited enormously from emotional validation, shared understanding, practical advice, and the opportunity to safely express difficult emotions. Researchers identified peer support as deeply meaningful for carers and noted that groups helped participants feel less alone in their experience. There is something profoundly healing about sitting in a room with people who simply “get it.”

In support groups, carers often discover:

• “I’m not the only one feeling this.”

• “What I’m experiencing is normal.”

• “Someone else has survived this stage.”

• “I feel understood and don’t need to explain myself”

  
  

That sense of belonging can reduce shame, loneliness, and emotional exhaustion.

Evidence-based studies have shown that group-based support interventions for dementia carers can positively impact psychological wellbeing and reduce emotional distress.

Support groups can help carers:

• Build emotional resilience

• Develop coping strategies

• Improve confidence in caregiving

• Learn practical dementia support skills

• Reduce stress and depressive symptoms

• Increase social connection

• Feel empowered and informed

  
  

Importantly, support groups also provide preventative emotional care. Rather than waiting until carers reach crisis point, groups offer regular support that can sustain wellbeing over time. Humans are relational beings. We heal and grow in connection with others.

A well-facilitated dementia carers group supports multiple areas of wellbeing at once:

• Emotional support

• Social connection

• Education and information

• Validation and empathy

• Reduced isolation

• Community belonging

• Hope and encouragement

  
  

Who is the Southside Dementia Sharing Circle Group For?

For many carers, groups become one of the few places where they can focus on themselves rather than only the needs of the person they are caring for. As a counsellor, dementia doula and caregiver myself, I deeply understand that carers often need more than information. They need space - to speak honestly, to feel grief, frustration, love, anger, sadness, and exhaustion without judgement. And sometimes, to even have a laugh with others who understand the strange and difficult moments dementia can bring.

Therapeutic support groups create opportunities for emotional processing in a safe and compassionate environment. Participants are not expected to “have it all together.” They are simply welcomed as they are.

One of the greatest risks for dementia carers is isolation. Research and lived experience tell us that connection matters. Feeling emotionally supported can make the difference to not only the wellbeing of carers, but also to the quality of care they are able to provide. Support groups remind carers that they are still people in their own right — not just caregivers.

What to Expect at our Dementia Carer Support Group - Coopers Plains Library

This group has been created to offer a warm, safe, and supportive environment for people caring for someone living with dementia.

Each session may include:

• Gentle facilitated discussion

• Emotional support and therapeutic reflection

• Education around dementia, grief, stress, and coping

• Opportunities to connect with other carers

• Practical strategies and shared experiences

• A welcoming space where carers can speak openly without judgement

  
  

There is no pressure to share before you feel ready. Some people come to listen quietly at first, while others appreciate the opportunity to talk through their experiences with people who understand. The group is designed to reduce isolation, build connection, and support the emotional wellbeing of carers navigating the dementia journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this group suitable for new carers?

Yes. Whether your loved one has recently been diagnosed or you have been caring for someone for many years, you are welcome.

Is there a cost to attend?

This group is FREE to attend – but please let me know if you are interested as I am providing a light morning tea and would appreciate numbers for catering purposes

What is a support group?

The group combines emotional and practical support, psychoeducation, and peer connection. It is designed to support emotional wellbeing while also providing practical understanding and community support.

What if I feel nervous attending?

Feeling nervous is completely understandable. Many people feel uncertain before attending their first group. There is no pressure to speak, and you are welcome to participate at your own pace.

Where is the group located?

The group will be held at Coopers Plains Library – 107 Orange Grove Road, Coopers Plains.

 When does the Southside Dementia Sharing Circle commence?

The Southside Dementia Sharing Circle from July 14^th at Coopers Plains Library running from 10am – 11.30am. We gather every second Tuesday of the month over the next year until June 2027.

Do I need a referral to attend?

No referral is required. You are welcome to contact me directly for any information about our group at kategroundzero@gmail.com or follow my updates on Ground Zero Counselling Facebook page.