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Local Support Groups
It is easy when you are caught up in the throes of a devastating illness as a patient or caregiver to feel that you are the only person going through this difficult experience. But you are not alone, and there are wonderful resources in our community to help you confront these challenges. Check back often for new listings and announcements.
Caregiver Support
Community VNA provides a support group for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Facilitator is Joyce Colletto, RN, Alzheimer’s Program Liaison. The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month (except for August) from 1:30PM to 2:30PM at Community VNA, 10 Emory Street in Attleboro MA. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information and upcoming dates, please call 508-220-0110 or go online to https://www.communityvna.com/news/.
Norwood Adult Day Health Center at 595 Pleasant Street, Norwood offers free monthly support groups for caregivers whose loved one is a senior or an adult with a disability. Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM and are open to the public and to caregivers of all ages. Respite care available during group. For more information, call 781-769-4495 or email to info@norwoodadhc.com. Click here for 2019 schedule.
Mansfield Adult Day Health Center at 300 Branch Street, Mansfield offers free monthly support groups for caregivers whose loved one is a senior or an adult with a disability. Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 10:00 – 11:15 AM (except for November and December) and are open to the public and to caregivers of all ages. Call 508-339-2119 or email to info@mansfieldadhc.com. Click here for 2019 schedule.
Harmony Adult Day Health Center at 725 A Myles Standish Boulevard, Taunton, offers “Caregiver Conversations”, a free monthly caregiver support group. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and are open to the public and to caregivers of all ages. Pre-registration is required. Call 508-880-3000 or email to info@harmonyadhc.com.
The LGBT Caring Community Online Support Group offers a place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender caregivers of adults with chronic health problems to discuss the unique issues of caring for their loved ones. Click here to subscribe.
Parkinson’s Disease Support
A monthly support group for caregivers and loved ones with Parkinson’s Disease meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 10 AM – 12 PM at Community VNA, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. Meetings include speakers, refreshments, conversation and support. The group is free and open to the public from all communities. To learn more, call 508-220-0118 or click here for schedule and info.
Debilitating Conditions and Chronic Pain Support
Community VNA sponsors a support group for people with debilitating conditions or chronic pain. Meets on the first Friday of every month from 2:00 – 3:30 PM at Community VNA, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA. To learn more, call 774-203-3290 on weekdays between 12 –7 PM).
Sturdy Memorial Hospital offers a variety of support groups for people facing the challenges of diabetes, multiple sclerosis, stroke recovery, and cancers. For more information about their programs, click here.
Bereavement & Grief Support
There are many local opportunities for education and support for adults and children. Some programs are ongoing, some are targeted for special occasions such as coping with a loss at the holidays. For information, see:
Programs offered by Community VNA of Attleboro include monthly (except for July and August) grief support groups. All programs are free and open to the public. For more info, contact CVNA’s Spiritual and Bereavement Care Coordinator at 508-222-0118 x 1372, and click here for schedules.
Programs offered by Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, North Attleboro. Click here for programs.
Miscellaneous Support
Support Group for parents and guardians of children with special needs, focused on strategies and resources relating to home, school and community. Meets second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, at 250 East Main Street, Suite 4, Norton, MA. Facilitated by Beth Karon Goldberg, an attorney with background in special education and social work. For questions or sign up, call (508) 285-5504 or email to beth@bethkgoldberglaw.com.
Support Group for parents and guardians of children between the ages of 16-22 with special needs and in the process of transitioning out of school. Meets second Tuesday of each month, 10:00 – 11:30 AM at The Arc of Bristol County, 141 Park Street, Attleboro. For questions or sign up, contact Amanda Masi (508) 226-1445 x 3130, or amasi@arcnbc.org.
Support Group for parents and guardians living with an adult child over the age of 22 with developmental disabilities. Sponsored by The Arc of Bristol County, this new group is beginning September, 2014. For more information, contact Lindsay Goulet at (508) 226-1445 or lgoulet@arcnbc.org.
News & Upcoming Events
HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY EVENT
When: Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Attleboro Council on Aging, 25 South Main Street, Attleboro
Who: Local seniors
What: An educational event, followed by the opportunity to create a Health Care Proxy
Cost: Free
To register: Contact the Attleboro COA at 508-223-2222
5th SENIOR SPECTACULAR
When: Thursday, April 18, 2019, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: North Attleboro Middle School, 564 Landry Ave., North Attleboro
Who: Open to the Public
What: A senior resource event including continental breakfast and lunch, health screenings, vendors, raffles, a celebrity fashion show, and educational programs
Cost: Free
To register: Pre-registration is preferred but not required
More info: see flyer
ESTATE PLANNING ESSENTIALS FOR SENIORS
When: Friday, April 25, 2016, exact time TBD
Where: North Attleboro Middle School, 564 Landry Ave., North Attleboro
Who: Open to the Public
What: Part of the 5th Senior Spectacular, this panel presentation by Deborah Blum-Shore and two other local elder law attorneys will review the important documents that should be part of every estate plan
Cost: Free
To register: No need to separately register if attending the Senior Spectacular
More info: see flyer
ADVANCE PLANNING FOR OLDER CLIENTS
When: Friday, May 3, 2019
Where: Taunton Holiday Inn
Who: Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)
What: Panel presentation at full day estate planning program for legal professionals titled “Turbocharged: Estate Planning Practice Upgrade 2019”
To register: see www.MCLE.org
MTA RETIRED MEMBERS GATHERING
When: Tuesday/Wednesday, September 24-25, 2019
Where: Westborough Doubletree Inn
Who: Massachusetts Teachers Association Retired Members Annual Gathering
What: Three educational sessions: “Nuts & Bolts of Estate Planning, “ “Life Care Planning,” and “Understanding and Using Trusts”
To register: Registration not yet open