What is The Caregiver Club®
The Caregiver Club® is a women-owned, St. Louis-based organization supporting caregivers of Alzheimer’s and dementia individuals. Started by caregivers for caregivers, The Caregiver Club® aims to provide resources and support for caregivers locally and across the nation. In addition, we are working to break down the stigma of dementia and memory loss while giving caregivers the strength they need in their caregiving journey.
Who We Are and What We Do
The Caregiver Club® champions and empowers the unsung heroes dedicated to caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other related dementias. Through our free, caregiver-centered programs, we provide essential resources, financial support and a strong, supportive community to foster mental and emotional well-being. By bringing caregivers together and engaging local communities, we are breaking the stigma of dementia to create a safe, compassionate space where caregivers and their loved ones thrive.
Our caregiver cards are the gateway into our organizing and were the initial impetus of The Caregiver Club®. From that idea, our organization has grown to offer free and supportive programming to help dementia caregivers. You can learn more about our free products here and our Caregiver Respite Initiative, Caregiver-Companion Outings, and Dementia-Friendly Dining here.
Everything we do at The Caregiver Club® is intentional and thoughtful, keeping the caregiver at the center. Alicia and Jodie are dedicated to changing the landscape for caregivers and the stigma surrounding memory loss. We could not do what we do without the generosity of our supporters, who we thank wholeheartedly. Please visit our donation page here to learn more about ways you can give.
We believe that with knowledge comes understanding and with understanding comes compassion. We hope you will join us on this journey for a more compassionate world.
With Love, Passion & Kindness,
Jodie and Alicia
Learn about our mission, history, and programs.
Our Mission
The Caregiver Club® aims to improve the lives of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other related dementias by supporting their caregivers. We achieve our mission by offering programming, resources, products, supported outings, and a sense of community for the caregiver and their companion with memory loss.
We are a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Tax ID number 87-3894325), and your gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. View our 501(c)(3) documentation PDF HERE.
Our Vision
The Caregiver Club® strives to bring a positive voice to the dementia community. We envision a world where a dementia diagnosis is not kept a secret, locked behind closed doors. We strongly believe that with knowledge comes understanding, and with understanding comes compassion. A dementia diagnosis can be scary and bring uncertainty, but it does not have to be surrounded by sadness. There is still so much life, laughter, and love to be shared. Through this positive, understanding, and compassionate lens, we aim to uplift and support caregivers so they can continue supporting the individuals they care for.
Our Story
To both of us, family is everything! Our family is full of aunts and uncles, second cousins and cousins, great-aunts and uncles, and even great-great-grandparents. Our family is loving and full of energy. As first cousins, we grew up experiencing this incredible energy and love. We celebrated birthdays and holidays together; we welcomed children and cried over the loss of relatives. It is hard to describe the closeness our families have. So when Jodie’s mom, affectionately called Mamie, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2017, the news hit hard for not only her immediate family but her extended family as well.
While Jodie’s nuclear family struggled to make sense of the diagnosis, Alicia’s dad, known to his grandchildren as Poppy was beginning to deteriorate mentally. He presented differently than Mamie, and while visiting doctors was ongoing, it was hard to diagnose his condition. After years of tests, medications, and specialists, he was finally diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia. Both of our families were rocked to the core.
We were now navigating a space we had never been before. We struggled and continue to struggle separately, but we also struggle together. We can share experiences, but we have different paths ahead of us.
Alicia and Jodie both have first-hand experience living, caring for, and loving someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, so The Caregiver Club® was born. We want to make life easier for caregivers by providing support, resources, and hope. At the core of The Caregiver Club®, we want to be a positive voice for dementia.
Meet Mami
Margot M. Condie was born in February 1941 in St. Louis, MO. She had a contagious smile and laughter that was infectious. She married her neighborhood sweetheart, Parker, at 19, and they were married for 62 years. Parker and Margot had five married children, 21 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Family was at the center of Margot’s life. Margot, affectionately known as Mamie to her family, was a lifelong caregiver. Selflessly caring for others was what Mamie did best. From rocking her grandchildren to sleep to supporting friends, Mamie showered people with love, support, and generosity.
Grace and beauty encompassed Margot as she transitioned into her later years. Her mental abilities began to change, and she was diagnosed in 2017 with Alzheimer’s dementia. This diagnosis forever changed Mamie’s life as she went from caregiver to carer. Even though there were excellent caregivers and love from family and private care, Mamie eventually needed 24/7 memory care support. As a result, Mamie was moved to a memory care facility at the start of Covid 2020..
On April 28, 2023 Mamie passed away. She was surrounded by her family and was smiling up until the very end of her life. She is greatly missed and will be forever remembered by her family and friends.
Meet Poppy
Born on February 26th, 1944, Patrick was destined for great things. As a boy, Pat worked hard for the family business, eventually becoming the company’s president. Pat’s hard work and love for his employees and clients had a lasting impact on the company he ran for decades. Personally, Pat found love and married his wife in 1968 and they settled in St. Louis. Together Pat and his wife have three children and ten grandchildren. Prior to his dementia Pat enjoyed playing John Denver on his guitar with his family, golfing with friends, and hunting Missouri wildlife. Not a day went by that Pat was not training or loving one of his many dogs or even the neighbor’s dogs. An avid outdoorsman, Pat took great pride in his gardens and landscape design. To friends and family Pat was admired and loved for his larger-than-life fun-loving personality.
This larger-than-life man began to change in 2018. His love for golf and interest in his dogs, hunting, and gardening began to deteriorate. Pat and his devoted wife spent years in and out of doctor’s offices trying to find answers to their questions. Finally, in 2022 Pat was officially diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe dementia. Pat’s frontal lobe continues to deteriorate, bringing on inappropriate behaviors that can be stressful for his wife, family, and caregivers. However, even if some aspects of Pat’s personality change, he remains light-hearted and joyful. He is a blessing to his family and friends.
The Caregiver Club® will forever be grateful to Pat, for, without his frontotemporal dementia, we would not have been inspired to create our caregiver cards and thus start our organization. Today you will find Pat out walking with his wife, having an ice cream cone, or humming a classic country song.