Starting a Support Group

Thinking of starting a stroke support group? It may seem a daunting task. But here’s how to keep it “SIMPLE,” stroke survivor (KISSS):

• Supportive – Ask caring questions; listen attentively to the answers.
• Inspirational – Reassure others that life gets better.
• Motivational – Encourage action and acknowledge improvement.
• Practical – Offer options, helpful tips and resource information.
• Life-affirming – Avoid comparing stroke stories; don’t deny or devalue the feelings of others.
• Educational – Talk about what’s worked for you and others; suggest, but don’t give advice.
   

If You Start One, They Will Come 

Starting a support group requires a lot of work, but the payoff is helping stroke families rebuild their lives. The following information highlights important things to keep in mind when starting and maintaining a group. For more detailed information, download our free booklet Successful Support Groups. It’s 30 pages of good ideas for starting and growing a stroke group.

First, contact survivors, family members and healthcare professionals for guidance and ideas. Ask for names of people that might be interested. Once you find two or three interested people, you’re ready to take the next steps.
 

Organize a support group with these components:

• Key person (or two!) – Nothing gets done until someone takes responsibility. If not you, who?
• Adviser or group facilitator – This may be a therapist or social worker, someone familiar with the impact of stroke on families.
• Sponsoring agency – Sponsorship may be as simple as providing space once a month, or as involved as producing a newsletter and providing transportation.
• Planning committee – Support and input from others are crucial. The planning committee should represent a spectrum of survivors, caregivers, therapists, social workers and psychiatrists.
   

Include these key ingredients for successful support group meetings:

• Education – Experts and practitioners can provide stroke families pertinent information.
• Recognition – Acknowledge members for their incremental victories: anniversaries, achievements and changes in health status.
• Social – Make time for members to mingle and get to know one another.
• Refreshment – Food is always appreciated.
• Leadership Development – If current leaders don’t prepare new leaders, the group will fold when current leaders leave.
• Emotional Support – Groups that foster emotional support through a buddy system, welcoming committee or peer visitor program have greater impact on their members.
• Information Swapping – No one knows everything there is to know about stroke.
• Resource Networking – The collective wisdom, knowledge and experience of a stroke group provides many resources for members.
   

The most effective group meetings are not:

• A pity party
• Just social events
   

Make it special.

• Holiday parties. Holiday get-togethers are a great way to end the year. Some are purely social, others include awards and recognition.
• Picnics.
• The Post-Stroke Games of Texas. This is an annual event showcasing such “Olympic” events as beach-ball volleyball, checkers and miniature golf.
• Bi-Monthly Sing-Along. What started as a choir of stroke survivors with aphasia has turned into a regular songfest for stroke families.
• School visits. This is an excellent opportunity for teaching basic information about the cardiovascular system and risk factors, as well as creating awareness about people with disabilities.
• Health fairs. This is a good opportunity for stroke groups to provide helpful information.
• An evening out. Stroke groups often organize evening events like theater or symphony visits. Groups often negotiate reduced rates.
• Peer visitor program. Stroke groups often organize peer visitation of new stroke families who are frightened and looking for answers. These visits are a lifeline at a crucial time.
• Rap sessions. Some groups sponsor informal discussion groups on topics of interest to those who attend.
• Awards banquets. Successful stroke groups are full of people who deserve to be recognized.
   

Specialized groups include:

• Younger Survivors – Topics like sex, dating and going back to work are important issues for the younger crowd.
• Aphasia – People with aphasia have special communication challenges that a group setting can address effectively.
• Caregiver – Many stroke groups split up survivors and caregivers in their monthly meetings. Caregivers benefit from sharing time with each other.
• Internet – Mobility is an issue for some survivors. For more information on Internet groups, visit Online Support.
• Umbrella Organizations – In metropolitan areas, stroke groups form regional organizations that help in programming, training, sponsorship and resource networking.
   

Once you’ve started, be sure to register your group with the American Stroke Association.

For more examples and helpful tips, read stories of successful support groups.