Abstract
A diagnosis of an early-stage dementia poses risks to lifelong resilience in individuals with a diagnosis of dementia and their family care partners. The unique social engagement and support needed for sustained resilience in individuals with early-stage dementias and their families are often overlooked by traditional community-based long-term care services. Lessons learned from 4 consecutive evidence-based early-stage Alzheimer education and support groups highlight how these structured 8-week programs set in motion a new, continuously expanding community to support resilience among individuals with a diagnosis of dementia and their families. Individual perspectives from 35 dyads provide specific examples of supports for resilience.