Find dementia support in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice
Start with your location and the kind of support you need. Sarasota caregivers can explore the Roskamp group; families in Venice can check the memory café at Jacaranda Library; and Bradenton families can review the Manatee County memory cafés listed below. Contact each host to confirm the current schedule, availability, cost, and registration requirements.
Which kind of group should I choose?
A caregiver support group offers space for caregivers to share experiences. A memory café may welcome the person living with memory changes together with a caregiver. Ask whether the person you care for can attend, whether the venue is accessible, and whether advance registration is needed.
For more practical next steps, browse our caregiver education resources and independently operated local support groups.
Explore caregiver training and education · Explore caregiver support and local resources
Connection · Local Options
Support Groups & Memory Cafés in Southwest Florida
Connecting with other caregivers can reduce isolation and provide practical ideas from people facing similar challenges. The options below are independently operated local programs. Schedules were reviewed in August 2026 and can change, so please call or confirm with the host before attending.
JFCS of the Suncoast — Dementia Caregiver Support
Free caregiver support, education, and connection for spouses, adult children, siblings, and others caring for a person with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or mild cognitive impairment. An intake interview is required before attending.
Fridays10:30–11:45 a.m.Sarasota
Location: 2688 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: 941-366-2224
Senior Friendship Centers — Dementia Caregiver Groups
Peer support and caregiver education for people caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-related conditions. In-person and virtual options are offered.
VeniceSarasotaVirtual
Venice: Tuesdays, 1:30–3:00 p.m., 2350 Scenic Drive
Sarasota: Thursdays, 10:00–11:30 a.m., 1820 Brother Geenen Way
Virtual: Wednesdays, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Information: 941-556-3268
Roskamp Institute + Empath Health — Caregiver Support Group
A monthly caregiver-only group focused on connection, practical caregiving strategies, and guidance from dementia-care professionals.
3rd Thursday monthlyStarts 10:30 a.m.Sarasota
Location: Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL
RSVP: 941-290-5000
Venice Memory Care Café — Sarasota Memorial / DCCI
A relaxed social gathering for people experiencing memory changes and the loved one or caregiver who accompanies them. This is not drop-off respite care.
2nd Friday monthly10:30 a.m.–NoonVenice
Location: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice, FL 34293
Information: 941-861-1110
Manatee County Memory Cafés
Monthly library-based gatherings for people with cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, or related dementias together with a caregiver or loved one.
BradentonMonthlyCaregiver + loved one
South Manatee Branch: second Tuesdays, 6081 26th St. W., Bradenton
Braden River Branch: third Thursdays, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton
AAASWFL Alumni Caregiver Support Group
Monthly in-person/virtual support for caregivers who have completed an Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida caregiver education program and live in the agency’s seven-county service area.
3rd Wednesday monthly1:30–2:30 p.m.Fort Myers + Zoom
Caregiver Support: 239-652-6941
Need help finding the right group? The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida can help identify caregiver programs and services by county at 866-413-5337.