In support of support groups, part 2

As I said in my August 22, 2013, article on Low Vision, “Certainly one of the priceless perks of living in our senior community is our residents’ easy accessibility to support groups.”

Gisenia Diaz, Team Leader for Sun City’s Centegra Wellness Center, explains her definition of support groups in April, 2015 Lifestyles Magazine: “Support groups bring together people who share common issues—an illness, a disorder, or major life changes, for example. They [support groups attendees] discuss their experiences, share ideas, and provide emotional support for one another in a safe and confidential environment. Group members with similar challenges can support each other and may suggest new ways of dealing with a particular concern.”

She continues, “When joining a support group, you may initially feel uncomfortable discussing concerns in front of strangers. However, knowing that others are facing a similar situation may help you open up and discuss your feelings. Soon you will discover that you’re not alone or the only person going through a certain situation.”

According to mayoclinic.org, support groups can also be educational. For instance, this may occur when the group’s leader invites medical-related personnel to talk about a topic related to the group’s needs.

I discovered an outstanding example of this more structured approach when I attended the Multiple Sclerosis Support Group’s meeting on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m., during the association’s MS Awareness Month of March.

Sue Iwinski, the MS group’s founder and leader and former Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Ambassador, informed me that while 18 MS participants had attended a Christmas luncheon at Jameson’s, with the group still planning for a possible future luncheon, last month’s well-attended meeting presented a speaker, and next month a pharmacist would be speaking to the group.

Fortunately for me, March’s meeting featured guest speaker licensed social worker Lynn Skubiszewski from Journey Care Palliative and Hospice Care of Barrington. Ms. Skubiszewski explained that with a staff of 250, Journey Care is the largest hospice center in Northern Illinois and the largest non-profit in the state.

That afternoon in the Family Alliance Building (just outside of Del Webb), the nine Sun Citians present learned the little-known meaning of palliative care. Lynn continued, “PALLIATIVE care is used to manage treatment of someone with chronic illness. Some examples of these diseases are MS, COPD, Renal failure, diabetes, heart disease, and PD. HOSPICE care is treatment used when a patient’s serious illness becomes life threatening.”

The social worker then told us, “Because we are medically based (using Medicare support), Journey Care can fill a gap in your medical treatment. We are a specialty organization managing and monitoring your symptoms. We are usually called when someone is frustrated over a doctor not meeting a patient’s needs.”

Although nurse practitioners generally provide care for those seeking help, a home-visiting MD may be used if necessary by Journey Care. Their palliative treatment center is on-call 24/7 for advice. The organization also partners with community healthcare providers such as Centegra, Family Alliance, and Northwest Home Health for medical equipment.

JC will attempt to treat the patient in his/her own home rather than in a hospital where germs, high bills, etc. can become problems. Giving all present a view of futuristic medical treatment, Lynn concluded with this info, “In the distant future, there will be no hospitals. Doctors, with the aid of interactive computers, will visit patients in their own homes.” For any questions about the group, please call Cheryl Levinson (Family Alliance) at 815-338-3590.

I was privileged to attend the Centegra Wellness supported M’Eye Low Vision Support Group’s debut in the summer of 2013. This group, founded by Bonnie Hibel and Marlene Pilger, meets the third Monday morning of every other month at 10 a.m.

From the beginning, the two lady group leaders set their goals high: “We are determined to reach those in our community who will benefit from the support group and guide them through to easier, happier, and productive lives, as well as finding those like us who can be their guides.”

Bonnie’s mantra was then as it is now: “Embrace your life as a challenge you can overcome. Sight doesn’t identify me or say who I am. You all need to function in a larger world beyond your home, using computer support. You need to always grow. You can be a contributing member of society.”

Marlene gave an outline of how their support group would accomplish this: “…Giving them [members] the tools to live independent, productive, and happy lives can hopefully be achieved by listening to qualified speakers, learning about adaptive tools and technologies, and available resources….”

On this past March 16 in the Prairie Lodge’s Fountain View’s Breakout Room, Low Vision’s group meeting featured Shira Greenfield, a licensed clinical professional counselor. Shira discussed the myths about happiness and where to focus energy in order to make our lives happier, more fulfilling, and more meaningful. For any questions about this group, please call Centegra Wellness Center at 847-515-2078.

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