Community Support Services

GH @ GH signifies a program sponsored by Greenwich Health at Greenwich Hospital.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neurological illness that impacts everyday living. This group offers patients and caregivers an opportunity to expand their understanding of the disease and to share strategies for coping with its effects. Facilitated by Pat O’Sullivan, APRN, it will meet Thursday, May 15 & June 19, from 2:30–3:30pm at the Eastern Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd., Old Greenwich. For more information, call (203) 863-3792. FREE.

Chronic Pain Support Group
This 8-week program is a resource for learning and sharing skills to cope with changes brought about by persistent pain. Learn how to regain positive emotional energy, reduce pain and enhance the effects of prescribed medications. Facilitated by Joanne Mortimer, MS, BCIAC. Starts Wednesday, May 7, 5–6:30pm in the Belle Haven Conference Room, Watson Pavilion, Lower Level. To register call (203) 863-4456. FREE. See also Chronic Pain Education Forum in this web site.

Bereavement Support Group
Adults who are grieving the death of a loved one are invited to join this supportive group facilitated by Kathleen Conway, APRN. Meets Mondays, 4-5:30pm, at the Bendheim Cancer Center, 77 Lafayette Place. Next 8-week session begins May 7. Registration and initial consultation is required. Call (203) 863-3704. FREE.

Grief-Loss Support Group
For anyone grieving from a loss—whether of a family member, friend or job—this group will help you develop coping skills and ways to move on with your life. Facilitated by Community Nurse Educator Dee Coover, RN, PhD. Sundays, from 1 – 2:30pm at Stanwich Church, 237 Taconic Road, Greenwich. For more information, call (203) 276-3052. FREE.

Parkinson's Support Group - GH @ GH
Weekly education, support therapy, exercise, social activities and caregiver support sessions. For people with Parkinson's, their families and caregivers. Facilitated by Patricia O'Sullivan, APRN. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center on Harding Rd., Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3pm. For more information call (203) 863-3792. FREE.

Tuesday, April 29
Exercises with Miriam Shaw, RPT, and Caregiver Support Group

Tuesday, May 6
Exercises with Miriam Shaw, RPT, and Caregiver Support Group

Tuesday, May 13
Learn about adaptive equipment to make everyday tasks easier.
Speaker: Laurie Wallace, Senior OT, Greenwich Hospital

Tuesday, May 20
Exercises with Miriam Shaw, RPT, and Caregiver Support Group

Tuesday, May 27
Learn and Share. Tips for everyday living.

Tuesday, June 3
Exercises with Miriam Shaw, RPT, and Caregiver Support Group

Tuesday, June 10
Deep Brain Stimulation Update
Speaker: Joan Miravite, NP, Medtronics

Tuesday, June 17
Annual Picnic – Parkinson’s Support Group at 12noon.

Tuesday, June 24
Learn and Share. Tips for everyday living.

Tuesday, July 8
Exercises with Miriam Shaw, RPT, and Caregiver Support Group

Tuesday, July 22
Learn and Share. Tips for everyday living.

Tuesday, August 5
Exercises with Miriam Shaw, RPT and Caregiver Support Group

Tuesday, August 19
Learn and Share. Tips for everyday living.

The Den for Grieving Kids
A nondenominational peer support center providing a safe, caring environment to help families cope with the loss of a parent, sibling, grandparent or close friend. Children ages 3 - 17 and their parents or adult caregivers are grouped according to age or type of loss. Initial appointment required. Bereavement groups are also offered by The Den in eight schools in Fairfield County – Greenwich, Stamford, and Norwalk. Staff are available for trauma response, for consultations, and for educational presentations regarding grief related matters. A program of Family Centers, Inc. in cooperation with Greenwich Hospital. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, twice a month from 6:30 - 8:30pm. Call (203) 869-4848. FREE.

Perinatal Bereavement Support Group
For families who have suffered a perinatal loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. Second Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9:30pm at Greenwich Hospital. Call (203) 863-3417. FREE.

Aphasia Support Group
For persons having difficulty speaking and understanding language as a result of stroke, head trauma or other causes. Led by a speech pathologist and featuring periodic guest speakers, this monthly group offers opportunities to share experiences and to communicate in a supportive environment. Family members are welcome. Call (203) 863-3240 for information. FREE.

Parish Nurse Partnership - GH @ GH
Churches and synagogues interested in promoting health and wellness in partnership with Greenwich Hospital's Parish Nurse Program are invited to call (203) 863-3881 to learn about free nursing services to their parishioners or congregations. The Parish Nurse Program provides a nurse to check parishioners' blood pressure and assist in referrals for medical services or support groups.

Post 9/11 Grief Counseling
Counseling for people experiencing after effects of September 11th such as depression, anxiety or post traumatic stress is available free of charge through Greenwich Hospital's Outpatient Psychiatric Center. The Center is open Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Call (203) 863-3316. Hospital psychologists also are offering crisis and grief counseling services. Call the Emergency Department at (203) 863-3637 or Psychology Section Chief Jerome Brodlie, PhD, at (203) 869-2823.

Psychiatric Treatment Center
Greenwich Hospital offers a variety of programs for adults, adolescents and children who suffer from emotional distress and other behavioral health issues. These include our Adult Treatment Program, which addresses the entire spectrum of psychiatric disorders to enable optimal functioning; and Child and Adolescent Programs to help with sleep and appetite disturbances, anxiety and mood disorders, learning disabilities, family transitions and major psychiatric illnesses. We also treat aftereffects of psychological and physical trauma. Call (203) 863-3316.

Lyme Disease Support Group
This monthly group offers information and assistance with issues concerning tickborne diseases as well as guidance for coping with the challenges and complications of Lyme disease. Share feelings and concerns with others suffering from Lyme's effects. Meets First Thursdays at Greenwich Town Hall, 7 - 8:30pm. Facilitator: Mindy Beth Lipson, PsyD. Sponsored by the Greenwich Department of Health, Greenwich Hospital and Time for Lyme, Inc. Call (203) 622-7849 for more information. FREE.

Sleep Apnea Support
For patients with sleep apnea who may be having problems with their CPAP therapy or are just looking for more information. Educational lectures, case discussions, vendor presentations and roundtable talks. Meets monthly at Greenwich Hospital, third Mondays, at 7:30pm. Run by the Greenwich Hospital Sleep Laboratory. Call (203) 863-3167 for details. FREE.

Recovery Programs

Greenwich Hospital Evidence-Based Addiction Recovery Program
A variety of treatment options are available for persons seeking high-quality alcohol and substance abuse treatment, including Matrix, a new intensive outpatient program. Matrix is based on state-of-the-art treatment modalities that show documented evidence of a higher rate of treatment completion, and a significantly higher incidence of longer-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol. This and other programs focus on initial stabilization, early recovery skills, continuing care, family education, and individual, couples, and family counseling. Program counselors are graduate-trained and licensed in substance abuse, social work, and marriage and family therapy. Call (203) 863-HOPE (4673).

12-Step Recovery Programs
The Greenwich Hospital Recovery Program and other substance abuse professionals acknowledge, appreciate and believe in the use of the 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other self-help groups based on AA principles. AA is the single most available and most used lifeline for people recovering from alcoholism or other forms of substance abuse. The quality of recovery is compromised without it.

Alcoholics Anonymous
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope to solve their common problem and to help others to recover from alcoholism. Open meetings: Sundays at 3:30pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Riverside; Mondays at 8pm, St. Michael's Church, Greenwich; Tuesdays at 7pm, First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich; Thursdays at Noon, First Lutheran Church, Greenwich; Fridays at 8:30pm, Christ Church, Greenwich. For more meetings and information, call Call (203) 869-5221, or go on-line to www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.

NEW!
DA (Drugs Anonymous)
Drug anonymous is a 12-step group for men and women addicted to alcohol and other drugs. Open “step” meetings take place Wednesdays, 7:15-8:15pm, in the back of the Greenwich Hospital Cafeteria. Meetings featuring a speaker are on Saturdays, 6:30 – 7:30pm, same location. For more information, call (203) 863-4673. No registration necessary. FREE.

NEW!
LifeRing
Life Ring is a nonsectarian network of support groups offering positive reinforcement to those who want to abstain from alcohol and addictive drugs. Users are welcome as long as they are clean and sober at the time of the meeting. Friends and loved ones are encouraged to attend as well. Open meetings: Sundays, 4-5pm, Cafeteria Conference Room. For more information, call Ms. Hirson, (917) 539-9927. No registration necessary. FREE.

Al-Anon
A 12-Step Program for families and friends of people addicted to alcohol. Learn to love with detachment and avoid enabling behavior. Sundays, 10am, Tully Center; Mondays, 8pm, Christ Church, Greenwich; Mondays & Tuesdays, Noon, St. Mark’s, New Canaan; Thursdays, 8:15pm, Greenwich Hospital, Cos Cob Room (beginners); Thursdays, 11:30am, St. Catherine of Siena Church, Riverside; Saturdays, 10am, St. Cecilia’s, Stamford. Call toll free (888) 825-2666. FREE.

Several support groups for caregivers are offered through Greenwich Hospital. See Healthy Aging and Oncology Programs.

Program Registration & Payments 

• Payment must be made by check or credit card at least one business day prior to the date a class begins. Instructors cannot transact payments or registrations.
• Only prepaid and pre-registered students may attend class. This applies to both new and continuing students.
• Please consult your physician prior to registration if you have concerns about participating in a program.