Support Groups

Last Updated: 3/20/08


ALCOHOLISM

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Phone 24-hour answering machine (517) 377-1444, Al-Anon (517) 484-1977

Central office: 1915 E. Michigan Ave. Literature and meeting lists.  www.aalansingmi.org

National fellowship of men and women sharing experiences and strength to help with common problems. Many local chapters. Call for meeting times and places.


ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

The Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association provides caregiver support groups, lending library and literature about Alzheimer's Disease. Call for more information. Ph: 1-800-272-3900 or (734) 677-3081

Local family support groups.For more information call the Alzheimer's Association at (800) 272-3900 or (517) 999-3004.

  • Alzheimer's Resource Center - Offers classes, support groups, educational materials and information. Tri-County Office on Aging, 5303 S. Cedar, Ste.1, Lansing. Contact (517) 999-3004 or (800) 272-3900.
  • Answers on Alzheimer's- Meet one-on-one to discuss your concerns. Call to schedule a one-hour appointment at Tri-County Office on Aging, (517) 887-1440.  For more information about this program, call the Alzheimer's Resource Center at (517) 999-3004.
  • Clinton County Meets the 1st Monday of each month at the Pilgrim United Methodist Church, 2965 W. Parks Rd., St. Johns.
  • Ingham County
    1) Lansing group - Meets 1st Tuesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Foster Community Center, 200 N. Foster.
    2) Lansing Alzheimer Caregiver Support group - Meets 7:00 p.m. the 4th Thursday of each month at Ingham Regional Assisted Living - 6429 Earlington, Delta Township.
    3)
    Lansing- Early Stage Group- monthly meetings- please call 1.800.272/3900 for information.
    4) Lansing-Plymouth Congregational Church, 2001 E. Grand River, held 2nd Wednesday of month, 1-3 p.m. for caregivers.
    5) Alzheimer's Support Group for Male Caregivers, Husbands, Sons & Partners. Meets at Plymouth Congregational Church (address above) 3rd Wednesday of month 10:00-12:00 noon. Contact Bill Dowling (517) 627-3350.
  • Eaton County- Eaton Rapids group - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Eaton Rapids Senior Center, 201 W. Grand St.


See Health Organizations for further information


ARTHRITIS/JOINT

SUPPORT PROGRAMS- Call Arthritis Foundation if any questions at 1-800-988-3030 or visit website: http://www.arthritis.org. Self-help, aquatic exercise programs available in most areas.

1) Arthritis and Chronic Pain Support group-meets 3rd Monday 7:00 p.m. at First United Medodist Church, 201 East Ash St., Mason. Contact: Linda Simpson, days (517) 913-3800.

2) Arthritis Mutual Support Group- meets 3rd Tues. of month 7:15 pm held at Presbyterian Church of Okemos, 2258 Bennett Road. Contact: Larry Vert at (517) 323-4355.

3) Osteoporosis Support Group-meets 3rd Thursday of every other month at 1:30 p.m at Imaging Center, 1540 Lake Lansing, East Lansing. Call to confirm date/location. Contact: Barb Vander Jagt days: (517) 913-3800.

4) Arthritis Foundation Classes held at various sites in Ingham Co. Call individual sites for schedules, cost & registration info. East Lansing-Michigan Athletic Club (517) 364-8888; Delta-Waverly Activities Ctr., Lansing (517) 484-5600; Holt- Hope Middle School  (517) 694-3411; Heartwood School in Mason (517) 483-1227; .

5) Exercise Programs held at the following sites: Holt Community Education: Call (517) 694-3411; First United Methodist Church of Mason: Contact Linda Simpson-days (517) 335-5785 or eve. 676-0481.

ASTHMA/ALLERGY

Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA)
Michigan Chapter
17520 W. Twelve Mile Rd., Suite 102
Southfield, MI 48076
Ph: (248) 557-8050 or 1-888-444-0333

Asthma Info Line: 1-866-EZ LUNG (395-8647) MI only

Website: 222.GetAsthmaHelp.org

Services: Local support group meets once each month and provides information on allergies and asthma.


BEREAVEMENT

Grief Recovery & Education Center- Navigating Through Life's Landscapes
presented by Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes
Ph: (517) 333-3636 or (517) 482-1533

Support Groups:  No reservations required.

2nd Monday of month (Jan.-Nov.): Gorsline-Runciman, 205 E Washington, DeWitt  7 p.m.

3rd Thursday of mon.(Jan.-Nov.): Gorsline Runciman East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave. E. Lansing  7 p.m.

Five Week Educational Series held throughout the year at various chapels: 7pm-9pm. Reservations are required. Call for dates

Services: Provides supportive services to bereaved families as well as to bring a greater understanding of grief and bereavement issues to the community as a whole. Summer picnic & Celebration of Lights held yearly. For additional information please call. Living Information for Today (L.I.F.T.) luncheons. Call for current schedule which meets at Jimmy's Pub on 4th Tues. of month at 11:30 a.m.

Eligibility: The service is available to anyone in the greater Lansing community.

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Palmer Bush Continuing Care Services

Lansing Chapel                                     Delta Chapel

520 E. Mt. Hope                                    6020 W Saginaw

Lansing MI  48910                                 Lansing MI  48917

Ph: (517) 484-5349                                Ph: (517) 323-7890

Services: Sponsors on-going grief support group program for those who have experienced a loss through death. Held at Pilgrim Congretional United Church of Christ, 125 S Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. 2nd & 4th Thursday of month at 10:30 am-noon (except Nov. & Dec.). Lending Resource library available for books, magazines & videos.  Additional services available for Palmer Bush families.

Eligibility:  Available to anyone interested.

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Grief Recovery Program

Tiffany Funeral Home

3232 W. Saginaw

Lansing   MI  48917

Ph: (517) 321-2211

Services: Sponsors a holiday program seminar for bereaved people who anticipate having difficulty getting through the holidays.

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Living Information for Today (L.I.F.T.)

Estes Leadley Funeral Home

325 W. Washtenaw

Lansing MI  48933

Ph: (517) 482-1651

Services:  Offers a social support group for widowed people called L.I.F.T. (Living Information for Today). Activities such as monthly luncheon meetings with guest speakers, bus trips, concerts planned.

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Hospice of Lansing (517) 882-4500 offers ongoing grief support group open to all community members free of charge.


CANCER

American Cancer Society
Great Lakes Division
1755 Abbey Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Ph: (517) 332-3300 or (800) 723-0360
Fax: (517) 641-1496

Capital Area Service Center

3100 West Road, Bldg.B, Ste. 110

East Lansing, MI  48823

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Services: A variety of support programs are available to help meet the needs of cancer patients and their families. Provides various services for cancer patients. Van transportation to and from treatments and medical appointments is provided. Equipment loans are available for items such as hospital beds, bath benches, wheelchairs, commodes, etc. The FYI Resource Center houses a lending library of current books, videos, brochures and posters dealing with cancer related issues.

Eligibility: Cancer patients in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties.

Williamston-Webberville Area Cancer Support Group-

Eagles Hall

835 High St (the east end)

Williamston, MI

Meeting held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 7:00pm-8:00pm at the Williamston Eagles hall meeting room. If you or someone close to you has cancer, please join us to talk, share, listen and support one another in a group setting. For more information contact: Jim or Mary at 655-2910.


CAREGIVERS SUPPORT

Valley Court Community Center - Adult Children of Aging Parents
Adult children who are largely responsible, directly or indirectly for the care of a parent or older person. Meets the 2nd Monday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 201 Hillside Court, East Lansing. Contact (517) 337-4611

Peace Lutheran Church - 830 N Cochran, Charlotte. Caregiver support group meets 1st Monday of month from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Contact Lori Poyer at (517) 543-1150 for more information.


DIABETES

American Diabetes Association of Michigan
www.diabetes.org
Ph: (800) 342-2383 or 1-888-DIABETES

Contact for information about diabetes, programs, local events & most up-to-date support groups.

Ingham Regional Medical Center Pennsylvania Campus holds monthly diabetic class & support group. Physicians referral required. Call 374-4911 for more information.


EPILEPSY

Epilepsy Foundation of MI
20300 Civic Center Dr., Ste. 250
Southfield, MI 48076-4178
Ph: (800) 377-6226 or (248) 351-7979
www.epilepsyfoundation.org

Contact for most current information on programs, the disease and support groups for individuals, family members and other persons interested in and affected by epilepsy.


HEARING IMPAIRED


Hearing Loss Association of America, Lansing Office Chapter

Websites: www.hearingloss.org or www.mi-shhh.org

Meetings held 1st Tuesday of each month at Foster Community Center from 6:30 p.m.(refreshments)& meeting from 7:00--8:30 p.m.. Contact Lee Urick at

(517) 372-6766 for more information.


HEART DISEASE

Heart to Heart Support Group-meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays from 7:15-9:15 pm at Okemos Community Church, 4734 Okemos Rd, Okemos, MI 48864. Contact: John McPhail, 331-5860 or 349-3023; Lynn Savage, Exercise Specialist, 483-5286 or 676-4542.


WomenHeart Cardiac Support Group-meets 3rd Tues. of month at Sparrow Professional Bldg. Contact: Pat Gauerke, Coordinator at 321-7431for more information. I

 


HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE

Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA)
Michigan Chapter
Dimondale Center

4000 N. Michigan Rd
Dimondale, MI 48821-977448917
Ph: (517) 646-0920
Helpline:1-800-909-0073
Fax: (517) 646-0885

Nat'l website: www.hdsa.org

email: hdsamich@iserv.net

Services: Monthly support groups for caregivers, people at risk and people affected by Huntington's Disease. Helpline is available 24-hours a day. Inquiries are encouraged and welcomed. Services are free of charge.

Meetings: Lansing group meets the third Tues. of month at 7pm in 2nd floor Dimondale Homeward Bound Bldg. Contact Ruth Lantner at (989 )835-9933. Call to verify meeting times and location.


LUNG DISEASE/ASTHMA


American Lung Association of Michigan

Capital Region Office

403 Seymour, Lansing MI  48933-1179
Ph: (517) 484-4541 or 1-800-678-LUNG (5864)

Helpline: 1-800-LUNGUSA

www.alam.org/


 

MENTAL ILLNESS

NAMI Michigan

921 N Washington Ave

Lansing MI  48906-5137
Ph: (517) 485-4049 or 1-800-331-4264
Website: mi.nami.org

Lansing contact: Judy Wells (517) 484-3403

Michigan State University contact: Erin Slee (517) 203-8669

Services: Educational forum programs, support groups, newsletters, support for research, advocacy in housing, employment and supported education for all interested persons. Free of charge.


OSTOMY

Ostomy Association of Greater Lansing
P.O. Box 10203
Lansing, MI 48901
Contact Person: Linda Schlappi (517) 627-2043

Services: Providing support to people who have had colostomies, ileostomies and urinary diversions. Visits in patient homes.

Meetings: 3rd Sunday of every month, September through June. Call after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for further information.


PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Greater Lansing Area Parkinson's Support Group
East Lansing Community Center, 201 Hillside Court, East Lansing, 48823
Contact Person/Facilitator: Don Hitko (517) 333-1844

Contact Person for Parkinson's Caregiver's Support Group:  Jeanne Brown (517) 339-8901

MI Parkinson's Foundation 1-800-852-9781

Services: Provides information on the latest developments in medication, exercise and methods of care for those with Parkinson's Disease. Discussions of symptoms and remedies, share stories and experiences. Speakers invited. Anyone interested in Parkinson's is welcome to attend.

Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Contact Jeanne for Parkinson's Caregiver's meeting place.


POLIO

Polio Survivors Support Group of Lansing
Plymouth Congregational Church
2001 E. Grand River
Lansing, MI 48912
Ph: (517) 485-0148, Bill Messeroll or (517) 336-5921, Margaret Neisen

Services: Provides support for individuals and families affected by polio.

Meetings: 1st Wednesday of each month, 7:00 -9:00 p.m. Barrier free location, free parking and no charge to attend.


VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Adjustment to Vision Loss
Plymouth Congregational Church
2001 E. Grand River
Lansing, MI 48912
Ph: (517) 335-7231 or (517) 694-9418

Services: Volunteer support group in cooperation with the Commission for the Blind. Various speakers. Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Brown bag lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Call for more information.


WIDOWHOOD

Widowed Persons Support Group Susan Zimmermann (517) 339-4675 after 6 p.m.(best).

Call for times & locations of meetings.Minimal cost for monthly newsletter.

New Tomorrows Support Group: Coping with the Loss of a Loved One-meetings held at Ingham Regional Medical Center, Conference room, Pennsylvania Campus on 2nd Weds. of month 11am-12noon and 3rd Thurs. of month 7:00-8:00 pm.. Facilitator is Margaret Jones, Chaplain, Ingham Visiting Nurses. Contact: (517) 367-5923


Support Groups See Also:
Hospitals