Support Groups
Need help coping with the stresses of life? The Calhoun Times is running this column detailing support groups in the area.
Volunteers make a wonderful difference! PruittHealth Hospice is looking for people of vision and empathy who wish to make a difference in their community one person at a time. As a hospice volunteer, you will receive training and support for your role in helping those with life limiting illness to have a quality of life during their last days. If you have a heart for others and wish to be of service, please contact Rickie Watters at 706-602-9546 or by e-mail at Rwatters@uhs-pruitt.com. Remember… you can make a difference for the good!
Families Anonymous is a 12-step program, for those concerned about drug abuse and behavior problems of a relative or friend. Completely anonymous, non professional, and non religious. No dues, no fees. Not connected with any hospital or agency. Located on Red Bud Road in plaza below Fitness First, next to Calhoun Counseling Center (Dr. Bledsoe’s office). Meeting every Thursday 7 - 8 p.m. Call 770-548-7849 for more information.
The Life Choice Hospice Bereavement Support Group will be meeting the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The support group is open to anyone in the community who would like to attend. The office and support group are located at 189 Professional Court, Suite 300, Calhoun. For Information, contact Jennifer at 706-602-9001. “Grief shared is grief diminished.” – Rabbi Earl Grollman.
BONDAGE BREAKERS - Breaking the chains of addiction one soul at a time. Every Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Crane Eater Community Church, located at 3168 Red Bud Rd Calhoun, GA 30701.
Daytime Al Anon meeting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning’s at Christ the King Lutheran Church on 623 S Thornton Ave, Dalton, GA 30720.
The Calhoun Pregnancy Center Inc., located on the corner of Peters Street and East Belmont Drive, is open every Monday, Tuesday and Friday from noon until 4 p.m. The center is also open each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday available by appointment only. Closed Wednesdays and Sundays. The pregnancy help center offers free pregnancy tests and Biblical lay counsel regarding abortion risks and procedures, development of the baby, adoption, sexual purity, and the risks of STDs. The center also offers practical helps for mom and baby with maternity and baby clothes, diapers and baby care products, and even some baby furniture when available. The center is pleased to announce that through its new project, “Baby Sleep Safely,” it will be offering new bassinets and cribs to loan out to parents in deepest need, returned and used again by more clients later. To visit the center, call 706-625-5768 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome during operating hours.
La Leche League of Calhoun and Rome offers free breastfeeding support and information. The meetings are open to all mothers (children also welcome), expectant mothers and women interested in breastfeeding. Calhoun location meets the second Monday of each month at 10 a.m. Rome location meets the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. Leaders are available to answer questions. For more information, call Erin at 706-234-3980 or email at LLLCalhounRome@gmail.com.
Do you have a family member or friend with a mental illness, such as bipolar, depression, PTSD, or schizophrenia? If so, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a FREE, 12-week course that is full of helpful information about mental illness. The Family-To Family course is termed a best practice and NAMI is happy to offer it for the first time in Dalton at Crosspointe Christian Centre, 2681 Underwood Street, on Sundays this fall. For more information and to register call NAMI Rome at 706-506-5010.
The Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is sponsoring a monthly support group at Morning Pointe Assisted Living, 660 Jolly Road, on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. For more information or directions, call Mary Braden at 770-548-4683 or Karen Parrott at 706-3465220. For more information about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, call 800-272-3900 or visit www. alz.org/georgia.
Special Care Plus, a free one-on-one consultation program, offers education and information to primary caregivers of persons with dementia. Each caregiver will receive basic information on the different stages of the disease; tips on care giving techniques; home safety information; information about programs such as Medic Alert + Safe Return, which promotes wandering safety; information about local and telephone support groups, which provide emotional and educational support; and referrals to agencies and other resources. Any primary caregiver who is caring for a loved one with dementia in the home is eligible to receive this program. To learn more about the Special Care Plus program, call 800-272-3900.
The Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program seeks to improve the quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen investigate and work to resolve problems or complaints affecting long-term care facility residents; identify problem areas in long-term care and serve as advocates for change; provide information about longterm care and related services; promote resident, family, and community involvement in long- term care; educate the community about the needs of longterm care residents; coordinate efforts with other agencies concerned with longterm care, visit long-term care facilities routinely to talk to residents and monitor conditions; and educate facility staff about resident rights and other issues. For more information, call Linda Ann Daniel at 1-866-5658213 or 706-272-2158.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s Caring Closet was created to help offset the high cost of incontinent products and give the families support they often desperately need. Once a month, family caregivers caring for their loved one with dementia still living at home visit the Closet and receive free items. If you would like to visit the nearest Closet, call the chapter office to receive a flier with locations and hours. Morning Pointe in Calhoun has a Caring Closet; call Mary Braden at 706-629-0777.
The Northwest Georgia Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. , is offering a monthly support group for persons living with Parkinson Disease, their caregivers, family and friends. The support group will meet at Gordon Hospital; Conference Room A. Refreshments will be served. There is no cost to attend the support group meeting. For any questions about the support group and future meetings, call James Trussell at 706-235-3164 or 706-346-5678.
Are you interested in losing pounds and inches? Join TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for support and how-to information. Meetings are on Monday nights. Weigh-ins begin at 6 p.m., and group support and information starts at 7 p.m. at the Gordon County Senior Citizens Center, 150 Cambridge Court, Calhoun. For more information, call 706-847-3306.
Community volunteers are needed at Countryside Hospice Care, where the mission is to promote comfort and dignity at the end of life. The agency covers 26 Northwest Georgia counties between three offices in LaFayette, Rome, and Newnan. If you would like to participate in this rewarding program, call 706-638-7651 or 1-800-6607381.