Support Groups

Support groups allow people to come together with a trained facilitator and share experiences dealing with a problem. Orange Elderly Services offers six support groups: Alzheimer's Disease; Parkinson's Disease caregivers and sufferers; individuals with Arthritis and Diabetes: recently bereaved widows and widowers; and a weekly discussion group, "Live and Learn."

Starting soon-New Group-The Alzheimer's Disease group is for persons who live with or are close to a person with the disease. Group sessions explore feelings about what is happening to the victim, and share strategies in coping with the victim's behavior. Call for day and time.

The Parkinson's group is for learning more about the disease and its effects, and for developing coping strategies for the patient and the caregivers. Meets 2nd Monday of each month at 10:00am.

At the Widow-Widower group the nature of loss is explored with participants sharing strategies that have worked in developing a new and more independent life style. New group pending.

The Arthritis Club includes a support group where participants share experience, lectures by health professionals on the disease, and regularly scheduled exercise classes. Arthritis Exercise class currently meets Monday and Wednesday at 11:00am.

The Diabetes Support group offers a supportive atmosphere where frustrations, coping skills and helping tips can be shared, and also provides continuing education through knowledgeable guest speakers.

Participants at the weekly "Live and Learn" meeting use the suggested topic as a starting point for lively discussions of current issues of interest to all. Prior sign up not necessary. Wednesdays at 10:30am.