In support of support groups, part 3

While support groups do vary, the basic format is a small group of people (maybe no more than 10-12) who meet on a regular basis to discuss their experiences and provide mutual support for one another.

Unlike formal therapy, the meeting is often led by a lay person or founder of the specific group.

In Sun City/Huntley’s support groups designated for a particular health issue or life difficulty, most of these moderators have been diagnosed with the same disability or are living the same emotional challenge as their group members.

They are often our very own senior residents. Husbands, wives, caregivers, and family members are welcomed to the meetings to help their loved ones continue to reach their potential. Indeed, I know of three health-related support groups’ female facilitators who are strongly aided by their husbands.

It should be noted that support groups are NOT a substitute for regular medical care, individual or group therapy, or professional counseling. However, support groups are usually free and, here at Sun City, are supported by health groups such as Centegra Wellness and Family Alliance Comprehensive Care Services.

According to Mayo Clinic, here are eight benefits of memberships in these small groups: 1. Feeling less lonely or isolated; 2. Gaining a sense of empowerment and control; 3. Improving your coping strategies and sense of adjustment/self-care skills; 4. Talking honestly and openly about your feelings; 5. Reducing stress in your life; 6. Developing a clearer understanding of what to expect with your situation; 7. Getting practical advice or information about treatment options or help where applicable; 8. Comparing notes about such outside resources as physicians, hospitals, research, drugs, lectures, magazines, expos, and equipment/technology.

In addition to these particular benefits, USNews (4/02/15) in their World Report article on “The Low Down on Mental Health Support Groups” has added these eight positive assets of belonging to these particular groups: 1. They’re varied; 2. They’re confidential; 3. There are few taboos including the discussion of suicide and self-harm; 4. You can participate at will; 5. You make friends; 6. Everyone’s an equal; 7. You might discover that you require less medical attention; 8. You gain hope.

Sun Citians, you may check your monthly Lifestyles Magazine for detailed information on the number of support groups functioning in Sun City Huntley.

According to Gisenia Diaz, team leader for Centegra Wellness Center, “The Wellness Center sponsors three support groups to help you [members] stay healthy, active, and independent.” All three groups meet in Fountain View Breakout Room in Prairie Lodge. Meetings are free, exclusively for Sun City residents, and do not require registration. Those health groups consist of M’Eye Low Vision Group, Diabetes Support Group, and Care for the Caregiver. M’Eye Low Vision Group, led by Bonnie Hibel and Marlene Pilger, meets on the third Monday of alternate months of May, July, September, and November from 10 to 11 a.m.

The Diabetes Support Group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Lastly, there is the Care for the Caregiver Group, which includes spousal care-giving and general care-giving, facilitated by Family Alliance here at Sun City. According to Family Alliance, “Care-giving can be a lonely and stressful undertaking.” AARP Bulletin/Real Possibilities (April 2015) adds “Family caregivers are the backbone of in-home care for their loved ones in this country. The help they provide enables older adults and people with disabilities to live independently in their homes and communities instead of in more costly nursing homes.”

As a result of the numbers of seniors seeking help through this support group, meetings are held every second and fourth Monday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 A.M. Family Alliance staff member, Cheryl Levinson, facilitates the 2nd Monday, while volunteer, Inez Young, facilitates the 4th Monday.

Family Alliance hosts two support groups in Family Alliance’s Building (just outside of Sun City) located at 12555 Farm Hill Drive, Suite 800. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. The group is led by Sue Iwinski. Parkinsons’ Disease (PD) Support Group meets on the first Monday of each month at 10 a.m. The PD Support Group is also involved in a free music therapy program “We Feel The Beat” now taking place in the same FA building on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 9:30to 11:30 A.M.

This support group is led by Alan Mogilner. Other Sun City/Huntley groups include Breast Cancer Social Support Group, Grief Support, Recovery Self-Help Mental Health, and Stroke Survivors Support Group–all of which can be found on page 58 of April’s (2015) Lifestyles’ magazine. For location and day and time info, please call listed numbers of facilitators.

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