PRESS RELEASE Barcelona, 1 September 2025

ACE ALZHEIMER CENTER BARCELONA SHOWS THAT SUPPORT GROUPS EASE THE BURDEN ON CAREGIVERS OF PEOPLE WITH EARLY-ONSET DEMENTIA

• The study, published in the scientific journal *Dementia*, shows that support groups specifically for carer couples reduce emotional stress, particularly in the most severe cases.
• The carers, with an average age of 59, who have young children and are of working age, find the support group to be a safe space to share, learn and feel understood.
• 93.5% wish to continue after the programme ends, highlighting the creation of support networks beyond the clinical sessions.
• September is Alzheimer’s Month, a key time to raise awareness of dementia and highlight the support work carried out by carers.

Every September marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise public awareness of this disease and its impact on both those affected and their families. This year, Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona is using this occasion to highlight the value of support groups as a means of emotional relief for carers, as well as to raise awareness of the impact of early-onset dementia, a condition that affects people under the age of 65 and their families.

In this regard, it is worth noting that a scientific team led by Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona has demonstrated that support groups specifically designed for partners of people with early-onset dementia (before the age of 65) are an effective tool for alleviating the emotional and social burden of caregiving.he research was coordinated by Dr Pilar Cañabate, a social worker and head of Social Work at Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona.

The study, published in the scientific journal *Dementia*, analysed the experiences of 77 carers who took part in support groups organised by Ace Alzheimer Center over a seven-year period, and assessed the emotional impact before and after the intervention. Although the overall results of the standard caregiver burden questionnaire (Zarit Burden Interview) did not show a significant improvement in the overall average, carers with a higher initial level of stress showed a statistically significant improvement following the intervention.

During the follow-up, the researchers identified three common phases in the progression of the group sessions: an initial phase focused on understanding the disease and its diagnosis, a second phase centred on sharing strategies for day-to-day management, and a third phase in which carers were able to express their own needs and emotions, such as loneliness, exhaustion or social isolation.

The research also highlights the background of carers of people with early-onset dementia: 

were men with an average age of 63. 32.5% had dependent children, and 45.5% continued to work whilst providing care. In the case of people with dementia, the average age was 59.6 years, with Alzheimer’s being the most common diagnosis (61%).

Another key finding was the delay in diagnosis: in many cases, the symptoms were mistaken for years for depression, anxiety or work-related stress. This delay led to family breakdown, conflicts prior to diagnosis and a loss of social support.

“Early-onset dementia is a devastating illness that disrupts the active lives of carers and destabilises families, because they are still of working age and have family responsibilities (mortgages, dependent children, etc.) and it impacts their life expectancy. These groups become a space for learning, support and a safe haven where carers can express what they cannot say outside this setting,” explains Dr Pilar Cañabate.

In addition to providing a space for learning and reducing emotional distress, the study reveals that participants highly value the creation of an informal mutual support network, which extends even beyond the formal sessions. Specifically, 93.5% expressed a desire to continue in the group and many asked to be able to invite others in the same situation. “We have observed how a spontaneous support network develops among participants, with benefits that go beyond the group intervention,” concludes Cañabate.

Alzheimer Center Barcelona, a pioneering model in the world of Alzheimer’s

Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, an innovative organisation and a leading institution in Spain, was founded in 1995 with the aim of meeting the growing demand for the diagnosis and treatment of people with cognitive impairment and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s. It offers personalised care and comprehensive support to patients and their families through a telemedicine-based care model that ensures care and support for all people with Alzheimer’s and their families, wherever they may be in the region. Each year, its Diagnostic Unit treats around 9,000 people, of whom more than 4,000 have dementia (3,000 of whom have Alzheimer’s). Early-stage diagnosis of dementia is a priority for Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, which is why it promotes free memory assessments, including online via FACEmemory®. Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona is considered one of the leading international centres for research, particularly in clinical, neuropsychological, social and basic research. Among other research activities, Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona participates in numerous global clinical trials covering all stages of the disease. As such, it has led two research projects funded by the European Union on the genetics of Alzheimer’s (ADAPTED) and on models of active patient involvement (MOPEAD).

For further information: Marta Martín: marta.martin.ext@weareboth.com / 637 75 50 06 Isabel Rodríguez: irodriguez@fundacioace.org / 93 444 73 18 www.acebarcelona.org