|
|
Support Groups
Monthly support groups offer the opportunity for patients and
caregivers to give and receive emotional support and to share information
and practical experience. Each group is led by two professional
facilitators, which allows participants to divide into a patient
group and a caregiver group. While they are separated, members of
each group have the opportunity to speak freely about such topics
as burnout and other concerns without worrying about hurting a loved
one's feelings.
Support groups help patients and
caregivers feel a sense of camaraderie with others who are living
with this devastating disease. No one can understand the feelings
and emotions involved better than another patient or caregiver who
is also struggling to live with ALS. At support group meetings,
some things just do not have to be explained as they often do in
other social situations.The group provides a kind of emotional
respite, with understanding and care.
Starting in January 2008, the Foundation will hold support group meetings at St. Alexis Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Ill. This group was added to support our patients who live in Chicago's Northwest suburbs. If you have any questions, please contact Claire Owen, LPN, director of patient services, at 847-679-3311 or cowen@lesturnerals.org .
The following
support group meetings are open to patients, family members, caregivers
and friends. Each facility is wheelchair accessible and offers free
parking.
We request that you RSVP to the Foundation at (847) 679-3311 if you are planning to attend
any of these meetings. If no one responds, meetings will not be
held.
| Libertyville |
| Location: |
Marytown
Retreat and Conference Center, 1600 West Park Avenue, Libertyville |
| Dates: |
Tuesday, May 6
Tuesday, June 3 |
| Time: |
6:30 p.m. |
| Facilitators: |
Laurie
B. Fieldman, LCSW |
| Directions: |
Call (847)
367-7800 |
| |
|
| Skokie |
| Location:
|
Temple Beth
Israel, 3601 Dempster Street, Skokie |
| Dates: |
Wednesday, May 14
June: TBD |
| Time: |
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. |
| Facilitators:
|
Ileane Mindel,
RN and Anne Lidsky, Ph.D. |
| Directions: |
Call (847)
675-0951 |
| |
|
| Evergreen Park |
| Location: |
Little Company of Mary Hospital, 2800 West 95th Street, Evergreen Park |
| Dates: |
Saturday, May 17
Saturday, June 21 |
| Time: |
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
| Facilitators: |
Laurie B. Fieldman, LCSW and Shari Diamond, BSN |
| Directions: |
Call (708) 422-6200 |
| |
|
| Hoffman Estates |
| Location: |
St. Alexius Medical Center, 1555 Barrington Rd., Conference Room A 4 West, Hoffman Estates |
| Dates: |
Saturday, May 31 (Fifth Saturday, due to Memorial Day)
Saturday, June 28 |
| Time: |
10:00 a.m. |
| Facilitators: |
Ileane Mindel, RN |
| Directions: |
Call (847) 843-2000 |
| |
|
| Young Couples |
| Date |
Saturday, May 10
Saturday, June 14
|
| Information: |
The group is comprised of couples, most with young children and with one spouse with ALS. Those interested in attending need to contact the group facilitator, Laurie B. Fieldman, LCSW, at (847) 223-9889 for details about time and location. |
For more information or to be placed on our support group mailing list, contact Claire Owen, Director of Patient Services at cowen@lesturnerals.org or (847) 679-3311.
|
