The CareBreak Adult Day Program offers a Caregivers’ Support Group. This group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 3:00 to 4:30p.m. All caregivers and family members who are interested in sharing information, giving and receiving mutual support, and exchanging coping skills with one another are welcomed. For further information on the Caregivers’ Support Group call 763-592-2666.

The Minnesota Masonic Home Care Center Bloomington’s Alzheimer’s Support Group is open to family members and friends of Masonic Homes residents, as well as those outside the Bloomington community. The group meets the third Wednesday of every month from 5:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. in Landmark South. The purpose of the support group is to provide an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their concerns, as well as to provide information via guest speakers, handouts, and videos. For additional information regarding the Alzheimer's Support Group call 952-948-7605.

Two Grief and Loss Support Groups meet at Minnesota Masonic Home North Ridge, New Hope. A group for residents of the Admission wing meets every second and fourth Tuesday from 1:30p.m. to 2:00p.m. in the large conference room. Another group, open to all residents, meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 10:00a.m. These meetings focus on the grief and loss issues of older adults. Each resident is given the opportunity to talk about individual losses and receives support from the group.

North Ridge's Explorer Group is a well attended gathering of residents interested in learning about people, places and things. Topics include various cultures, travel, political science, current local and world events, humor, anthropology, nature, animals, and religion, to name a few. This group is led by a Chaplain and Social Worker, who research and share information on these topics. Occasionally there are guest speakers. Discussion and question time promotes resident participation.

Another group, which meets at both locations, is the Resident Council. Resident Council gives residents:

The Bloomington Resident Council meets on the second Wednesday of each month. There is a designated representative/alternate from each of the floors, but all residents are invited to attend. Representatives, alternates, Resident Council President, Vice President and Secretary are elected via resident vote.

The North Ridge Resident Council meeting is held on the second Monday of each month and all residents are invited to attend. This Resident Council holds fundraisers once a month to assist with funding for the Council. They also donate money to special events as they see fit in and out of the care center.

Both campuses also have Family Councils. Staff liaisons assist and aid families in their efforts to support the living environment they want for their loved ones, the kind of home that our Masonic Homes provides.

The North Ridge Care Center Family Council, composed of families and friends of residents, is dedicated to the promotion and improvement of health, welfare and happiness of all residents in this home. It serves as a support group, as well as a liaison between families, staff and management. The Family Council meets the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room.

The Bloomington Family Council meets the third Sunday of every month from 2:00-3:00p.m. This too, is composed of relatives and friends of the residents. Its purpose is to explore concerns, share ideas, act on issues, inform and educate, support and communicate effectively within our Home. Topics and concerns of general interest are planned around suggestions of the members. Speakers from within our Masonic Home communities and from outside agencies are often invited.

Support Group Links:

Alzheimer’s Association - A comprehensive site of the Alzheimer's Association.

Caregivers Helping Caregivers - A unique online resource for caregivers. Sponsored by the Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter

Caregiver Survival Resources - Provides information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers.

CaregiverMN.org - Information on the effects of dementia, finding housing options, and support from other caregivers.

Caregiving.com - Solutions to caregiving situations through the caregiving years.

GriefNet - Online grief support groups for people dealing with grief, death and major loss.

Fairview Classes - Fairview Hospital's calendar of classes and support groups