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Self Help & Support Groups  
 

What are Support and Self-Help Groups?
Support and self-help groups are usually small groups of people who have something in common, like caring for someone with Alzheimer's Disease, or who is recovering from a stroke. Participants get together, usually once a month, to discuss their situations and concerns. Some groups have a professional social worker or nurse who coordinates the group, while others operate on their own. Support groups are usually free of charge, while some with professional coordinators may ask for a small donation (which can usually be waived if necessary) to cover the cost of the professional's time.

Where can I call for more information?
For information about various support and self-help groups in your area, contact us or the Self-Help Network. The Self-Help Network is a nonprofit, statewide information center that can give you more information about support groups in your area. Currently, the Network can provide referrals to more than 3,000 Kansas and national support groups, organizations, and helplines. Call the Self-Help Network toll free at 800-445-0116 or visit their website Self-Help Network.

The following are local groups that provide support to those with particular needs, their families and caregivers. For more information concerning any group, please contact the number given.
August, 2004, updated April 20
Shawnee County
Support Groups

Alzheimer's/Dementia Caregiver/Family Support Group
3rd Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m.
Topeka Presbyterian Manor 272-6510
Leader: Carrie Belveal

Alzheimer's Support Group
Last Monday of the month, 2 p.m.
Aldersgate Village; York bldg 478-4488
Leader: Joyce Barr

Alzheimer's Support Group Especially for Early Stage
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 2 p.m.
Alzheimer's Assoc., 234-2523
Leader: Karen Johnson

Alzheimer's Support Group
2nd Saturday of each month, 10 a.m.
Brewster Place Health Care Unit; 274-3312
Leader: Jo Sumpter

 Alzheimer's Support Group
2nd Thursday of each month, 7 p.m.
Northland Christian Church; 286-1063
Leader: Linda Buchanan

Arthritis Support Group
Meets third Tuesdays of each month,
7 p.m. Pozez Education Center; 235-2126
Leader: Gail Steinbach

Cancer Support Group
Meets Mondays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Pozez Education Center; 354-5300

Caregiver Support Groups
Meets 2nd Monday of each month,
11 a.m. to noon
RoseHill Place Clubhouse #97;
235-1367 or 233-1730 ext229
Leader: Teresa McQuin, LSCSW

Meets 3rd Wednesday of every month and the 1st Monday of every month. A Caregiver Coffee Break Support Group. Location: The Classic Bean, 2125 SW Fairlawn Rd, Topeka, KS. Any questions please call Marilyn Thomas at 785.235.1367.

Dealing with Change Support Group
Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday,
9:30 a.m. Atria Hearthstone West
234-6225
Leader: Heartland Home Health Care

Living with Diabetes Support Group
Meets Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays,
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cotton-O'Neil Diabetes Center
357-2800

Grandparents Raising Grandkids
Support Group
Meets Third Thursdays 6:30 p.m.
YMCA Downtown, 575-6970
Leader:Gwen Elliott

Grandparents/Kinship Support Group
Meets 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Topeka Shawnee Co. Library, 286-2329
Leader:Sharla Pfeiffer

Grief & Loss Support Group
Meets Tuesdays, 3 to 4 p.m.
Meets Tuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Meets Thursdays, 3 to 4 p.m.
Midland Hopsice Building A, 232-2044
Leader:Gwen McClain, MS., A.T.R.

 
Stroke Support Group
Meets 1st Friday every month, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Shawnee County Health Agency, 368-2171
Leader:Linda Ochs

Widowed Persons Discussion/
Support Group
Meets Six times each quarter, starting the first Wednesday of each quarterly session.
6:15 to 7:45 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 357-7290
Leader:Carol Sook

Douglas County
Support Groups


Alcoholics Anonymous, 842-0110
Groups meet at a variety of times in various locations in Lawrence. Meetings
are available for individuals, family members and caregivers. Sites and times can also be found at www.aa-ksdist23.org

Sisters in Sobriety Women only group.
Every Wednesday of month, 6:45-8:00 in room 305 at the First United Methodist
Church.

Alzheimer’s Support Group
1st/3rd Monday of each month, 10:00-11:30am First United Methodist Church, 841-7500
1st/3rd Monday of each month, 2:15-3:45pm Lawrence/Douglas County Senior Center, 843-0543

Better Breathers Club
Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 749-6150
4th Wednesday of each month, 1:00-2:00pm

Cancer Support Group
1st/3rd Thursday of each month, 10:30am & 2nd/4th Thursday of each month, 7:00pm, Lawrence Memorial Hospital,
842-0054

 Breast Cancer support group
every Monday, 5:30pm, Presbyterian Manor, 766-8887 Cancer Support Group: contact Donna Flory, 864-9854

Caregivers Support Group
1st/3rd Monday of each month, 2:15-3:45pm Lawrence/Douglas County Senior Services Center, 843-0543
every Thursday evening, 7:00pm Pioneer Ridge Retirement Center, 841-5300

Chronic Illness Support Group
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
Every Wednesday, 12:00 noon
This group is limited to active clients of
Bert Nash Center. For details on qualifications, call 843-9192. BNCMHC
has a specialist in concerns of seniors over 60 years of age. For more information, call Ruth at 843-9192.

Compassionate Friends
First United Methodist Church, 841-7500
Offers support to those who have experienced loss of loved ones, especially of children. Group is open to persons of all ages. 2nd Monday of each month, 7:00-9:00pm

Divorce Support Group
First Christian Church, 843-0679
Open to persons of all ages. Provides series of support groups and seminars. Call church for details and times.

 

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome Support Group
2nd Saturday of each month,
Indian Hills Church of God, 842-1725,
ask for Tammy

Grief and Loss Support Groups
1st/3rd Thursday of each month,
10:30am Pioneer Ridge Retirement Center, 841-5300, ask for Gillian

Beyond Loss Support Workshop
Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 843-1120
10-week workshop, given 4x a year. Facilitator provided by Dg.Co.Hospice.

Grief & Loss Workshop, 4x a year
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 843-5111

Grief Assistance Hospice Care
of Douglas County, 843-3738

Grief Assistance Grace Hospice - www.gracehospicellc.com 841-5300

Lawrence Parkinson’s Support Group
3rd Tuesday of each month, 2:00pm
First Presbyterian Church, 843-4171
4th Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm Pioneer Ridge Retirement Center,
344-1106

Low-Vision Support Group
Babcock Place, 842-8358
2nd Thursday of each month, 10:00am

Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH) Babcock Place, 842-8358
4th Monday of each month, 1:00pm

Stroke Support Group
1st/3rd Monday of each month, 4pm, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 840-2712

Jefferson County
Support Groups

Jefferson County Diabetic Support Group (785) 863-2447
Groups meet at Jefferson County Health Dept. Contact Leader: Cathy Green

Jefferson County Hospice Bereavement Support Group
(785) 863-2447
Groups meets in the Community Room
at the Kendall State Bank, Valley Falls
3rd Wed. each month, 10 am - Noon
Contact Leader: Betsy Schmelzle
 
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, or disability. If you have a complaint, contact 785-235-1367 or TDD/TTY 800-776-3777
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is a 501 C (3) Non-Profit corporation.
Private donations are gladly accepted and appreciated!