Supporting the Supporters
Caring for an older adult can be both rewarding and challenging. The ADRC offers a variety of resources, educational opportunities, and programs to support family caregivers in their vital role. Whether you’re just getting started or have been providing care for years, we’re here to help you navigate your journey with confidence and support.
Caregiver Information
A caregiver can be someone caring for a spouse, parent, extended family member, or even a friend or neighbor. Do you provide someone help with:
Transportation to medical appointments?
Purchasing or organizing medicines?
Monitoring their medical condition?
Communicating with healthcare professionals?
Advocating on their behalf with providers or agencies?
Getting in and out of beds or chairs?
Getting dressed?
Bathing or showering?
Grocery or other shopping?
Housework?
Preparing meals?
Managing finances?
If you answered “yes” to any of the examples listed above, you are a caregiver!
Trualta – Free Online Training and Support
Wisconsin caregivers now have free access to Trualta—an online education platform designed to support you in your caregiving journey. Trualta offers short, easy-to-follow lessons on topics such as:
Communication changes
Behavior management
Transition from hospital to home
Personal care
Activities and recreation
Mobility & falls prevention
Documents & decision making
Dementia care
Safety at home
Managing stress
Personal care techniques, and more
Learn at your own pace, anytime, from anywhere. Visit wisconsincaregiver.trualta.com or contact the ADRC to get started.
Thanks to support from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, GWAAR, and the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance, this is available at no cost to Wisconsin caregivers.
Caregiver Stress-Busting Programs
These programs teach:
The impact of stress on your health and caregiving
How to use relaxation techniques and problem solving
How to care for yourself while caring for others
Includes a handbook and online access to meditation and relaxation strategy videos.
Caregivers report lower stress, depression, and anxiety and improved well-being after completing the program.
Contact the ADRC to learn more!
Waupaca County Extension Programming
UW Madison Division of Extension Waupaca County supports family and friend caregivers through free educational programs, practical tools, and local resources that help reduce stress, build confidence, and improve caregiver well-being. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent, a spouse, medically fragile child, child with a disability, or someone with chronic health conditions, Extension offers evidence-based classes for you. Some of our current offerings include:
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an evidence-based program designed to help family caregivers build the skills they need to care for themselves while caring for others. Over six weekly sessions, participants learn to manage stress, improve communication, navigate tough decisions, and boost self-confidence. Each class is led by trained facilitators and includes a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook for ongoing support.
You can learn more at: https://aging.extension.wisc.edu
Planning AHEAD is an evidence-based program designed to help individuals and families navigate end-of-life planning with confidence and clarity. Through a series of guided sessions, participants explore topics such as health care wishes, financial decisions, legal considerations, and funeral preferences. The program empowers individuals to make informed choices, reduce stress for loved ones, and ensure their values and decisions are honored.
You can learn more at: https://aging.extension.wisc.edu
Supportive Services for Seniors and Caregivers (NFCSP & AFCSP)
Being a caregiver can be difficult and overwhelming. The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) and Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP) exist to offer family members and informal caregivers (friends, neighbors) limited supports to make caregiving more manageable. The ADRC works with eligible caregivers to identify what individualized services or supports can help.
Examples of Available Services include respite services, emergency response or home safety systems, adaptive equipment, etc.
The programs are available to any person providing care to an adult age 60+. It is also available to any grandparents or other relative age 55+ who is the primary caregiver for youth under the age of 19. Please note available funding and services are limited. Program services and funds are distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis. Priority is given to low-income individuals or families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. A waiting period for services may exist if all funds have been exhausted for the current year.
Waupaca Caregiver Alliance
The Waupaca County Caregiver Coalition is a group of professionals, community members, and caregivers who work to provide resources and education to the caregivers in all of Waupaca County.
Visit the group’s Facebook page to learn more!
Respite Care Association of Wisconsin
The Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, and expanding quality respite care across the lifespan throughout Wisconsin. RCAW collaborates with state and local partners to provide a Wisconsin Respite Care Registry, training courses, and grants to support family caregivers.
Contact the ADRC or visit https://respitecarewi.org to learn more!
You don’t have to navigate caregiving alone. Support groups offer a safe and welcoming space to connect with others who understand the challenges and rewards of caring for a loved one. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, practical tips, or simply someone who gets it, these groups provide a vital source of connection and support. There are a variety of caregiver support groups across Central Wisconsin, browse the listings below to find a support group that fits your needs—locally or virtually.
It is advised to contact the facilitator of each group prior to arrival to confirm time and requirements.
Note that some are offered both in-person and/or virtually.
- Respite is available at some locations. Call to inquire.
Outagamie and Winnebago Counties
Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Memory Disorders
- Caregiver Support Group
- St. Paul Elder Services Memory Care Resource Center (221 E. 13th St, Kaukauna)
- 3rd Tuesday of the month 4:00-5:30 pm. Available virtual or in-person, mask required.
- Contact: Courtney Tienor 920-766-6186
- Frontal Temporal Dementia Support Group– for caregivers of those living with this type of dementia
- Goodwill Community Campus, 1800 Appleton Rd, Menasha
- 3rd Monday 1:00-2:00 pm
- Contact: Fox Valley Memory Project 920-225-1711
- Men’s Caregiver Support Group
- Dimensions Living Appleton (5800 Pennsylvania Ave, Appleton)
- 3rd Thursday of the month 10:00 am
- Contact: Mike Rohrkaste 920-284-9507
- Men’s Caregiver Support Group
- Café Nutrition (1350 W. American Drive, Neenah)
- 3rd Tuesday of the month 10:30 am
- Contact: Mike Rohrkaste 920-284-9507
- Support for Spouses of those Living with Young Onset Memory Disorders – diagnosed
- St. Paul Elder Services Memory Care Resource Center (221 E. 13th St. Kaukauna)
- 3rd Tuesday of the month 6:00-7:30 pm Available virtual or in-person, mask required.
- Contact: Courtney Tienor 920-766-6186 OR Julie Feil 920-725-9373 X6850
- Caregiver Support Group
- Miravida Living- Elijah’s Place (225 N. Eagle St. Oshkosh)
- 1st Thursday of the month 1:30-2:30 pm
- Contact: Alzheimer’s Association 1-800-272-3900
- Parkinson’s Support Group (for both person living with PD and care partners)
- Neuroscience Group (1305 W. American Drive, Neenah)
- 4th Monday of the month 2:00-4:00 pm
- Contact: 920-725-9373
- Aphasia Support and Communication Group
- Edenbrook Appleton (2915 N. Meade St, Appleton)
- First Tuesday of the month 4:00-5:00 pm
- Contact: Karrie Matejka 920-993-6817
General/ Other Caregiver Groups
- Oshkosh TLC Caregiver Support Group
- Fox Valley Technical College- Oshkosh Riverside (150 N. Campbell Road)
- 1st Monday of the month 1:00 pm, Room 164
- Contact: Fox Valley Memory Project 920-225-1711
- Caregiver Group
- Community Church (2351 Ryf Rd. Oshkosh)
- 2nd Tuesday of the month 3:30 pm.
- Oshkosh TLC Caregiver Support Group
- Oshkosh Senior Center (200 N. Campbell Rd, Oshkosh)
- 4th Thursday at 1:00 pm
- Contact: Fox Valley Memory Project 920-225-1711
- TLC Caregiver Support Group
- Goodwill Community Campus, 1800 Appleton Rd, Menasha
- 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month 12:30
- Contact: Fox Valley Memory Project 920-225-1711
- Caregiver Support Group
- Mosaic Family Health (229 S. Morrison St Appleton)
- 3rd Wednesday of the month 10:00-11:30 am
- Contact: Susan Kazik 920-997-8407
- Caregiver Support Group
- Lakeshore Manor (711 Bayshore Dr. Oshkosh)
- 2nd Tuesday of the month 6:30-7:30 pm
- Contact: 920-393-3871
- Caregiver “Me Time”
- Familiar Grounds Coffee Shop, 206 Pearl St. New London
- Contact: 920-268-4811
- VA Caregiver Support Group
- Virtual only
- 1st Wed. Of the month 1:00-2:00 pm
- Contact: Milwaukee VA Support Program 414-584-2000 X44571
- Next Step Support Group- For those with loved ones in a care facility
- Goodwill Community Campus, 1800 Appleton Rd, Menasha
- 1st Monday of month 1:00
- Contact: Fox Valley Memory Project 920-225-1711
Waupaca County
- Dementia Caregiver Support Group
- Faith Community Church (N2541 County Road K, Waupaca)
- 2nd and 4th Friday of the month 12:30-2:00 pm
- Contact: Julie Feil 920-725-9373 X6850 OR Denise Roman 715-258-6400
- Dementia Caregiver Support Group
- Bethany Wellness Center (1226 Berlin St. Waupaca)
- 4th Thursday of the month 1:30 pm
- Contact: Casey Brown 715-258-5521
- Caregiver Support Group- General
- Bethany Wellness Center (1226 Berlin St. Waupaca)
- 2nd Wednesday of the month 1:30 pm
- Contact: Casey Brown 715-258-5521
- Waupaca TLC Caregiver Support Group
- Fox Valley Technical College-Waupaca (1979 Godfrey Dr, Waupaca)
- 1st Tuesday of the month 12:30 pm
- Contact: Fox Valley Memory Project 920-225-1711
Calumet County
- Brillion TLC Caregiver Support Group
- Brillion Public Library
- 2nd Monday of the month 1:00 pm
- Contact: Fox Valley Memory Project 920-225-1711
- Chilton Caregiver Support Group
- Fox Valley Technical College-Chilton
- 1st Thursday of the month 1:00 pm
- Contact: Nancy Krueger 920-859-1451
Brown County
- De”Men”tia Men’s Group
- ADRC Brown County (300 S. Adams St, Green Bay)
- 1st Tuesday of the month 2:30-3:30 pm
- Contact: 920-448-4300
- Caregiver Support Group
- Woodside Lutheran Home (1040 Pilgrim Way, Green Bay)
- 3rd Tuesday of month 5:00-6:30 pm
- Contact: Alzheimer’s Association 1-800-272-3900
- Caregiver Support Group
- McCormick Assisted Living (212 Iroquois Ave, Green Bay)
- 4th Monday of the month 4:30-5:45 pm
- Contact: Donna Pasternak 920-437-0883
- Caregiver Support Group
- St. Benedict Catholic Church (3370 Deerfield Ln, Suamico)
- 1st Thursday of the month 5:30 pm
- Contact: Katherine Graham 920-412-6863
- Caregiver Support Group
- St. Edward and Isidore Church (3667 Flintville Rd, Suamico)
- 3rd Monday of the month 10:15-11:30 am
- Contact: Alzheimer’s Association 1-800-272-3900
- Schmitt Park Neighborhood Association Caregiver Support Group
- Curative Connections (2900 Curry Lane, Green Bay)
- 4th Wednesday of the month 4:00-5:00 pm
- Contact: Alzheimer’s Association 1-800-272-3900
- Caregiver Spouse Support Group
- Marla Vista Manor (1006 N. Military Ave, Green Bay)
- 4th Wednesday of the month 4:00 -5:15 pm
- Contact: Gail Taylor-LaPlant 920-866-9931