Living with dementia and memory problems
Online groups for dementia
Some dementia support groups started to meet online during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued with video meetings like Zoom. Eric and Ros said they had never heard of video calling before the COVID-19 pandemic.
An advantage of meeting online can be that you don’t need to travel, especially if meetings are held at awkward times or difficult to get to. Michael said he only attends online meetings if they are not within reach by public transport, otherwise he prefers to go in-person.
A disadvantage of online groups is that you need to be digitally connected – using a computer, iPad or smart phone.
I mean do you, have you, you know, during Covid and things have you used online, Zoom-type things or? I have but I’m sorry to say my computer’s getting quite old and I’m a bit wary about using it for things that it might not, it might not cope with, but.Peter’s computer skills are good but the device is old and can’t be used for video calling.
Peter’s computer skills are good but the device is old and can’t be used for video calling.
John likes to go the ‘University of the third age’ (U3A) groups. His main interest is languages and the French class meets on Zoom.
And so, I think the U3A does lots of different sort of subjects don’t they? Oh yeah, yeah, there’s a hell of a choice of things, you know, you can go to choirs, you can go, yeah, but they’re just, it’s just massively, the number of – but unfortunately the U3A is sort of, in [City] is kind of dwindling a touch. It got kicked, kicked into touch with Covid and the like because of people not being able to meet and in some places it hasn’t recovered, yeah. But slowly coming back to life, I do believe. So, did they do things online or did they just drop it altogether? Did things online, yeah; well, I still do some French, I do some French online now, and unfortunately [tutor]; what a name, eh? French name [laughs] she’s still frightened of coming together as a group, she doesn’t want to do it. Used to be, we used to meet in a church hall, but now she’s stopped doing that. And the numbers, there’s only, with [tutor] now, well last night there were three people, were there three? Yeah, me and two other, two other ladies.Paul goes to a French conversation class online, but would prefer to meet in person.
Paul goes to a French conversation class online, but would prefer to meet in person.
What about things on Zoom or anything like that, have you tried any of those? Some people had little groups on Zoom, you know, during the pandemic but a lot of them have continued. Richard: No. Have you, do you use Zoom at all to chat with your family or anything? Viv: Yeah, I do, not, not Richard so much, but I haven’t looked at that but I, but I don’t think there is any local Zoom. Well, you could do it in anywhere. Viv: Anywhere, yeah, yeah. Actually, yes, that’s a good idea, I guess I can just do that to see if we can find one on Zoom or, or even an exercise one, because that is something so important, I have been told, and having someone who did karate all those years ago.Living in a remote area means Richard and Viv struggle to get to local groups.
Living in a remote area means Richard and Viv struggle to get to local groups.
Meeting online means that people can join from all over the world. Speak out with dementia is an online group for people living with dementia and identify as LGBTQ+.
And Speak Out with Dementia; so what is that? It’s a support group that meets on Zoom every week and it was instigated by the [City] LGBT Switchboard and it’s a worldwide support group really. Oh right. We have people from America, a chap who lives in Belgium, someone from Ireland, and it’s support in a way that we share each other’s experiences. And also, how each individual accesses support within their community, and the sort of level of support that they’re finding that they’re experiencing, and comparing that with each other. And really, I suppose the final aim is for each of us to get the information, and if we don’t feel that we’re getting enough support or similar support to anyone else then we’re able to begin the first steps of accessing that, mm. So, understanding what might be out there? That’s right, yeah, yeah. For example, the guy who lives in, in Belgium, he’s American and he wasn’t getting appropriate support in America so he moved to Northern Ireland and he still wasn’t and now he lives in Belgium and finally he’s got supported accommodation and supportive healthcare staff and he’s very happy there. That’s a big extreme to go to though, isn’t it? Well, it is a bit extreme; I don’t intend to travel the world to get the support that would be helpful for me, I’m more inclined to stay put and stick my heels in and, you know, sort out really what, what suits my requirements.The online group Andrew joins helps the members to see what kind of care and support is available globally.
The online group Andrew joins helps the members to see what kind of care and support is available globally.
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