Support groups for family members

Support group meetings for family members caring for people with dementia and Alzheimer's throughout the country, in collaboration with social services departments


Support groups Shamda is a professional companion and supporter, spread across the country, and provides a response to the needs of the primary caregiver at the level of emotional processing, behavioral adjustments and necessary changes at home. Participation is free of charge (but you can Donate to the association as they see fit). 

The answers of the support groups:

  • – Understanding, acceptance, and legitimacy of a range of emotions and behaviors
  • – Emotional processing of ambivalence: guilt, grief, and anger
  • – Knowledge from the personal experience of the participants
  • – Information about the disease and alternatives for coping
  • – Mutual support and assistance between participants between group meetings

The groups provide a safe and secure place where things (that may be difficult to talk about elsewhere) can be discussed freely and in a safe and supportive atmosphere. This safe and secure place eases the difficult feelings that naturally arise as a result of caring for a person with dementia.

The groups are mixed in terms of the stages of the disease and also in terms of the role in the family (spouse or child). Most groups meet once a month and sometimes more frequently. To obtain precise details, contact the facilitator in the place of residence closest to the home (see table below).

In addition to the face-to-face support groups, there are also Zoom support groups, and additional support groups in the health insurance companies (see details at the bottom of this page). 

Director ofEMDA Support Groups
Yael Ilan: yael@alz-emda.org.il 

"Dad was diagnosed with dementia over a year ago, mom became the primary caregiver." In a meeting with a social worker, I was offered to join EMDA's support group. Today, after almost 3 months, I am a different person thanks to the group. I quickly realized that I did not come here to find a treatment plan or miracles. I came to cope, to listen and to examine. I came to learn, to understand and to share. I met amazing women who, every Wednesday for an hour and a half, shared with me what they were going through and had gone through, gave advice from their personal experience and listened back. I felt the change taking place in me, how I suddenly let go and not out of abdication of responsibility, but with an understanding of my place as a caring family member. And then it happened, barriers that were there in the past were slowly removed. My mother, who hardly shared and helped me, began to share. Processes that I wanted to initiate with my parents began to move on their own. 20:00 PM on Wednesdays became nothing less than sacred. An hour and a half alone in which we meet, laugh, cry and support each other. I continue from here with a huge toolbox."
Daughter takes care of father
Daughter takes care of father
"The group that was created had a high level of intimacy, the topics of interest were shared, we didn't feel like time had passed, the hour and a half seemed like a few minutes. Each meeting was so fascinating and exciting, accompanied by professional and human support. The topics that came up and were discussed in each meeting were extremely relevant and I benefited from them as much as they all did. I feel that the group gave me the strength to continue to support with love, my mother who is dealing with dementia. The group also made me feel proud, feel respected, feel what love is for an elderly, sick parent. The time was very convenient, not too late and not too early. The atmosphere was relaxed and enabling, in each meeting everyone got their place to express themselves."
Daughter is a caregiver
Daughter is a caregiver
"Hello, I am an Alzheimer's orphan. Both of my late parents contracted the disease at young ages (55 and 60). They were parents and friends, and losing them while they were still alive was unbearable. Along the way, I experienced hardships and shocking moments, but I was also blessed to meet good people, like Chen and Irit from the EMDA Association, who suggested that my parents and I participate in a support group for patients and family caregivers, which not only helped my parents understand that they were not alone in the disease, and engage in activities that they enjoyed in the past, but also provided a response to my difficulties and feelings. I want to thank this amazing association, and strengthen all the members of the group who are caring for a loved one. You are not alone and take any help you can get, for that person, and no less importantly, for yourself."
A. From Raanana
"In EMDA's support group for family caregivers, there is always a new magic. The situations are diverse - spouses, parents - at different stages of the disease, the nature of the cases is different, and yet, there is a broad common denominator and attentive ears that allow for a space for sharing that is important and very meaningful. In these meetings, there is everything - a mix of sadness and laughter, difficulty and relief, a sense of togetherness and a liberating feeling that even if everyone brings their own unique and difficult story - we are all in the same boat. The charming moderator navigates these meetings with great sensitivity and wisdom, illuminates additional angles and adds vital information that is very helpful. In these meetings, we can be encouraged a little that if we are already in this "story", at least we are not alone🙏"
C. From Haifa
"Good morning. A few sentences about EMDA's meetings in Shoham with Jeanne. Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Once a month we meet. I do everything to get there, because it's the only place where participants can understand each other, support, embrace and contain each other. Led by Gana the moderator, who always emphasizes the right sentences, and prepares the group for personal and supportive attention. When you hear in the meeting that...'s father also wants to go home when he's at home, everyone shares their way of dealing with the situation and one learns from the other. So I both contribute and am contributed to. The meeting is also a source of knowledge, like a lecture by an attorney. And finally, going to the meeting gives you the feeling that you're doing something for yourself."
N. Shoham

Frontal support groups

Virtual support groups

Amda also offers online support groups on Zoom. For more information, click here.

Feedback on support groups


Participants in support groups are invited to provide us with feedback so that we can learn and improve.

The feedback form is here.

You can also access the feedback form by scanning this QR code:

Additional support groups


Additional groups are held through health funds:

Support and Advice Center *8889

A listening ear and advice for family members and patients. You can call from any phone.

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