APLIKE LA Position: Independent Living Skills Trainer ( ILST ) An exceptional opportunity to join a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering individuals to live their best lives. The Independent Living Skills Trainer (ILST) plays a critical role in promoting independence, safety, and personal growth for individuals with diverse needs. This position is highly proactive, progressive, and results-oriented. Requirements: 1-2 years of healthcare experience Experience in implementing behavioral treatment and care plans Valid driver's license and access to a car Strong time management and organizational skills Proficiency with smartphones and tablets Successful completion of background check and drug testing prior to hire Adherence to dress code and professional standards Commitment to providing the highest standards of care and accountability Experience in assisting individuals recovering from: Strokes Concussions Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Tumors Community-based settings Responsibilities include supporting clients with: Safety Organizational skills Medical and therapeutic rehabilitation homework Medication reminders Social engagement Employment assistance Financial management Social skills Daily living activities Additional Information: Regular drug screening required Key Duties: Develop and prepare teaching materials for Independent Living Skills Training and Support Service sessions. Schedule client sessions and programming based on Individual Service Plans and training domains. Conduct in-home training, teaching, and support for clients in areas such as money management, nutrition, cooking, comparison shopping, emergency procedures, community awareness, mobility, laundry procedures, household management, sex/public health education, medical procedures, counseling, crisis intervention, and housing. Provide training in accordance with current care plans and the least restrictive environment philosophy (1:1 staff-client ratio, unless otherwise specified). Coordinate client training programs with other programs in which they are involved. Complete daily activity reports documenting direct hours spent with clients and submit to supervisor(s) on the first day of the following month. Maintain up-to-date client files. Assist clients in coordinating with other programs, services, and benefit systems, such as Social Security, AFDC, WIC, food stamps, counseling, etc. Attend monthly staff meetings and individual meetings with team members. Participate in Inter-Disciplinary Team meetings as requested. Perform other duties as assigned.

Sante se Richès Egzèsis ak blesi nan sèvo Egzèsis yo te montre gen yon kantite benefis pou moun ki gen blesi nan sèvo, tankou: , Fonksyon fizik amelyore: Egzèsis ka ede amelyore fonksyon fizik, tankou balans, kowòdinasyon, ak mobilite, ki ka afekte pa aksidan nan sèvo. , Amelyore fonksyon kognitif: yo montre egzèsis yo gen yon efè pozitif sou fonksyon kognitif, tankou memwa, atansyon, ak rezoud pwoblèm. , Mwen amelyore atitid ak sante mantal: Egzèsis ka ede amelyore atitid epi redwi risk depresyon, enkyetid, ak lòt pwoblèm sante mantal nan moun ki gen blesi nan sèvo. , Amelyore kalite lavi: Egzèsis ka ede amelyore kalite lavi an jeneral nan ogmante nivo enèji, diminye fatig, ak amelyore estim pwòp tèt ou. , Amelyore sante kadyovaskilè: Egzèsis ka ede amelyore sante kadyovaskilè lè yo ogmante fonksyon kè ak nan poumon, ki ka afekte nan blesi nan sèvo. Li enpòtan pou sonje ke egzèsis yo ta dwe adapte a bezwen endividyèl ak kapasite moun ki gen blesi nan sèvo a. Li rekòmande pou konsilte yon pwofesyonèl swen sante oswa terapis fizik pou detèmine yon plan egzèsis apwopriye.

If this an emergency call 911 Help-Line 860 942-0365 If you believe a person or entity may have done this to you or a person you care about we maybe able to help. If you wish to help a person, ask questions about an experience and / or a mistreatment to a person living with a brain injury we are here for you!

ABI Resources kanpe nan pi devan nan livrezon sèvis eksepsyonèl pou moun ki rekipere nan blesi nan sèvo, konjesyon serebral, ak blesi twomatik nan sèvo (TBI). Ekip pwofesyonèl expérimentés nou an enkòpore ekspètiz ak devouman, ki ofri konsèy ak sipò ki gen anpil valè pou pèmèt kliyan yo pwospere ak refè nan konfò nan pwòp kay yo. Avèk yon repitasyon solid pou ekselans ak ankouraje relasyon dirab, ABI Resources pran angajman san rete pou fasilite atenn objektif kliyan yo, nouri yon sans de kominote ak apatenans, ak ankouraje yon eksperyans lavi satisfè. Ranje konplè nou an nan sèvis yo anglobe sèvis ki bay sipò nan kay la, swen kominotè Connecticut, pwogram MFP, ak pwogram dispans ABI, ki pwolonje atenn nou bay kliyan atravè eta Connecticut. , An kolaborasyon ak òganizasyon estimé tankou DSS, DMHAS, WWP, CCC, CCCI, SWCAA, WCAAA, Allied, Yale, UConn, Gaylord, ak HFSC, ABI Resources ofri swen optimal bay moun. Devouman nou pou kiltive yon kominote enklizif ak ankourajan pou kliyan yo byen rekonèt, paske nou bay anpil aktivite ekip-building, evènman sosyal, ak opòtinite volontè ki ankouraje angajman ak koneksyon. Lè yo ankouraje kamaradri, entegrasyon sosyal, ak yon sans de apatenans, kliyan pa sèlman refè apre blesi yo, men tou anrichi lavi yo atravè amitye ak koneksyon dirab . , ABI Resources fyè dèske li konstwi relasyon dirab ak kliyan yo epi li bay yon apwòch miltidisiplinè pou swen, ki gide pa yon ekip pwofesyonèl rekiperasyon aksidan nan sèvo ki angaje nan ede kliyan yo jwenn endepandans yo. Lè nou travay kole kole ak kliyan yo pou idantifye bezwen inik yo ak aspirasyon yo, nou devlope plan ki tayè ki anglobe sipò nan terapi fizik ak okipasyonèl, edikasyon, ak fòmasyon pwofesyonèl pou fasilite akonplisman objektif yo. , Ekip eksepsyonèl nou an nan pwofesyonèl swen sante konpasyon, kondwi pa devouman ak angajman enkondisyonèl, fòme kolòn vètebral ABI Resources. Nou kwè ke lè nou bay anplwaye nou yo priyorite ak envesti nan kwasans pwofesyonèl yo, nou ka etabli yon kilti ekselans ki benefisye tout moun. Nou rekonèt tou siyifikasyon plan swen pèsonalize, ki adapte a bezwen ak objektif chak kliyan, pou bay pi bon rezilta ak yon eksperyans ki pi pozitif pou tout moun ki enplike yo. , Anplis apwòch ki konsantre sou kliyan nou an, nou pwolonje sipò ak resous bay fanmi kliyan yo, ki jwe yon wòl enpòtan nan asire swen optimal. Angajman nou pou bay kliyan kalite siperyè, swen endividyèl pandan n ap bay anplwaye nou yo valè ak nouri se fondasyon siksè nou. Lè nou ankouraje yon kilti ekselans, nou fè efò pou nou vin yon konpayi ki respekte non sèlman pou kalite swen nou bay men tou pou fason nou trete kliyan nou yo ak anplwaye nou yo. , Nan ABI Resources, nou rekonèt ke bay kliyan ak anplwaye yo valè pou bay pi wo estanda nan swen ak sèvis. Nou konprann ke devouman ak angajman anplwaye nou yo se entegral pou bay nivo swen kliyan nou yo merite. An menm tan, nou rekonèt ke kliyan nou yo se rezon ki fè nou egzistans, epi byennèt yo rete pi gwo priyorite nou an. Nou pran angajman pou kreye yon anviwònman kote kliyan yo santi yo alèz, respekte, epi resevwa swen san parèy. Nou fè efò pou etabli yon kilti ekselans, kote tou de kliyan ak anplwaye yo santi yo valè ak respekte, finalman mennen nan rezilta swen siperyè ak yon eksperyans jeneral pozitif. Lè nou rete fèm nan angajman nou pou bay swen eksepsyonèl ak trete anplwaye nou yo ak respè ak jistis, nou ka kreye yon anviwònman ankourajan ki benefisye tout moun ki enplike. ,

Did you know? About 44.4 million persons in the U.S. are family caregivers 46 is the average age of a family caregiver 61% of family caregivers are women 4.3 is the average length of time (in years) that family caregivers provide care 59% of family caregivers are employed SOURCE: Caregiving in The U.S., National Alliance for Caregiving & AARP, Funded by the MetLife Foundation and the Mature Market Institute® Approximately 22.9 million households provide unpaid care to an adult family member or friend who is age 18 and older. On average, family caregivers provide 21 hours of care per week. This “free” care, however, is not without cost; many family caregivers feel isolated, stressed by balancing work, family, and caregiving, and perhaps even depressed. The value of family caregiving to society has been estimated to be $306 billion annually. Nearly 60% of those caring for an adult over age 50 are working, the majority of them full time. In the past, responsibilities for caregiving almost exclusively belonged to women, but currently about 39% of caregivers are men. SOURCE: Study by the Mature Market Institute® and National Alliance for Caregiving in cooperation with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging In one important study done by the Mature Market Institute, those surveyed said they made at least one formal adjustment to their work schedule as a result of caring for a partner or other family member: 16% quit their job 20% cut back to part-time 22% took a leave of absence Respondents also stated that caregiving affected their ability to advance on the job: 29% passed up a promotion, training or assignment 25% passed up an opportunity for job transfer or Job relocation 22% were unable to acquire new job skills SOURCE: Findings from a National Study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the National Center on Women and Aging at Brandeis University; Findings collected and issued by Mature Market Institute® called “MetLife Juggling Act Study: Balancing caregiving with work and the costs involved” – 1999 Nearly six in ten caregivers (59%) say they have worked at some time while they were actively providing care. Of these, six in ten (62%) say they had to make some work-related adjustments in order to help the person they care for. More than half (57%) of working caregivers say that as a result of their caregiving responsibilities they have had to go in (to work) late, leave early, or take time off during the day to provide care. SOURCE — Caregiving in The U.S., National Alliance for Caregiving & AARP, April 2004 Funded by the MetLife Foundation and the Mature Market Institute®

Devlopman Plan Swen Pèsonalize , Nan ABI Resources, nou kwè ke chak moun merite swen pèsonalize ki satisfè bezwen inik yo ak preferans yo. Se poutèt sa nou ofri sèvis devlopman plan swen pèsonalize ki vize bay swen konplè ak sipò bay moun ak fanmi yo. , Apwòch nou an enplike travay kolaborasyon ak moun nan, manm fanmi yo, ak pwofesyonèl swen sante yo pou idantifye bezwen espesifik yo, objektif, ak preferans yo. Nou pran yon gade holistic sou bezwen swen sante yo, konsidere pa sèlman bezwen medikal yo, men tou sosyal, emosyonèl, ak byennèt sikolojik yo. , Pwosesis devlopman plan swen nou an enplike yon evalyasyon konplè sou bezwen ak objektif moun nan, ki te swiv pa devlopman nan yon plan swen Customized ki dekri sèvis ak sipò ki nesesè yo reyalize objektif sa yo. Nou konprann sitiyasyon chak moun inik, se poutèt sa nou pran tan pou nou konnen chak moun epi devlope yon plan swen pèsonalize ki adapte a bezwen espesifik yo. , Sèvis devlopman plan swen nou yo enkli òganizasyon sèvis tankou Patisipasyon Medikal ak Terapetik, Sipò Edikasyon Espesyal, Transpò, Aparèy Teknoloji Asistans, ak plis ankò. Nou travay kole kole ak chak manm nan fanmi an ak ekip pwofesyonèl yo pou asire ke plan swen an ajou epi kontinye satisfè bezwen moun nan evolye. , Nan ABI Resources, nou pran angajman pou bay bon jan kalite, sèvis devlopman plan swen pèsonalize ki pèmèt moun yo reyalize objektif yo epi viv pi bon lavi yo. Ekip pwofesyonèl nou an devwe pou asire ke chak moun resevwa swen ak sipò yo bezwen pou yo pwospere. , , ,

CONSERVATORSHIP Souvan, Tribinal Omologasyon an ap nonmen yon manm fanmi moun nan, oswa zanmi pwòch li, kòm konsèvatè a. Pafwa tribinal la ap nonmen yon lòt moun, tankou yon avoka. Tribinal la eseye detèmine kiyès moun ki konsève a prefere men, si gen yon konfli, li ka nonmen yon pati ki pa enterese. ENVOLONTÈ Nenpòt adilt ka sèvi ak fòm sa a pou mande nonmen yon konsèvatè adilt ki swadizan pa kapab. Yo nonmen yon "konsèvatè moun nan" pou sipèvize zafè pèsonèl yon moun ke tribinal la pa ka satisfè kondisyon esansyèl pou bezwen pèsonèl yo, menm avèk asistans apwopriye. Bezwen sa yo ka gen ladan men yo pa limite a, bezwen pou manje, rad, abri, swen sante, ak sekirite. Yo nonmen yon "konsèvatè nan byen imobilye a" pou sipèvize zafè finansye yon moun ke tribinal la jwenn li pa kapab fè sa nan limit ke pwopriyete yo pral gaspiye sof si yo bay bon jan jesyon pwopriyete. Sa ka gen ladan, men se pa sa sèlman, aksyon pou jwenn ak jere byen, revni, ak benefis asistans piblik. Petisyon an ka mande tou pou nonmen yon konsèvatè siksesè. Yo refere moun ki mande yon nominasyon pou yon konsèvatè kòm moun ki reponn a. VOLONTÈ Nenpòt ki granmoun ka sèvi ak fòm sa a pou mande tribinal la nonmen yon konsèvatè volontè moun oswa byen imobilye pou jere zafè pèsonèl oswa finansye li, oswa toude. Yo nonmen yon “konsèvatè moun nan” volontè pou sipèvize zafè pèsonèl, tankou bezwen manje, rad, abri, swen sante, ak sekirite. Yo nonmen yon "konsèvatè nan byen imobilye a" volontè pou sipèvize zafè finansye. Sa a ka gen ladan men se pa sa sèlman, aksyon pou jwenn ak jere byen, revni, ak benefis asistans piblik. Petisyon an ka mande tou pou nonmen yon konsèvatè siksesè. Yon konsèvatè se yon moun Tribinal Omologasyon nonmen pou sipèvize zafè finansye oswa pèsonèl yon adilt. Nan yon konsèvatè envolontè, yo nonmen yon konsèvatè sèlman si tribinal la detèmine ke moun nan pa kapab pran swen tèt li, oswa li pa kapab jere zafè finansye li. Nan yon konsèvatè volontè, tribinal la nonmen yon konsèvatè sou demann yon adilt ki chèche asistans nan jere zafè li, san yo pa fè yon konklizyon ke moun nan pa kapab. Gen de kalite konsèvatè. Yon konsèvatè moun nan sipèvize zafè pèsonèl ak asire ke bezwen debaz moun nan, tankou manje, abri, rad ak swen sante, yo satisfè. Yon konsèvatè nan byen imobilye a sipèvize zafè finansye, ki gen ladan swen pou pwopriyete, jere kont labank ak asire manyen an sekirite nan revni moun nan. Konsèvatè ak moun ki enterese pou yo vin konsèvatè ka jwenn plis enfòmasyon lè yo klike sou lyen an, Konsèvatè . Enfòmasyon ki nan sit entènèt sa a bay pou rezon enfòmasyon sèlman, epi yo pa ta dwe entèprete kòm konsèy legal sou nenpòt pwoblèm. Enfòmasyon yo bay sou sit sa a se pa konsèy legal, pa konstitye yon sèvis rekòmandasyon avoka, epi pa gen okenn relasyon avoka-kliyan oswa konfidansyèl ki pa ta dwe fòme lè w itilize sit la. Presizyon, konplè, konpetans oswa lajan nan kontni an pa garanti oswa garanti. Sit ak sèvis nou yo pa ranplasan konsèy oswa sèvis yon avoka. Nou rekòmande ou konsilte yon avoka oswa yon lòt pwofesyonèl apwopriye si ou vle konsèy legal, biznis oswa taks. Nou fè efò pou kenbe kontni ak dokiman nou yo egzat, aktyèl ak ajou. Sepandan, paske lwa a chanje rapidman, nou pa ka garanti ke tout enfòmasyon ki sou sit la ak sèvis yo konplètman aktyèl. Lwa a diferan de jiridiksyon an jiridiksyon, epi li ka sijè a entèpretasyon pa tribinal diferan. Lwa a se yon pwoblèm pèsonèl, e pa gen okenn enfòmasyon jeneral oswa zouti legal tankou kalite nou bay la pa ka anfòm chak sikonstans. Anplis de sa, enfòmasyon legal ki genyen sou sit la ak sèvis yo pa konsèy legal epi yo pa garanti yo kòrèk, konplè oswa ajou. Se poutèt sa, si ou bezwen konsèy legal pou pwoblèm espesifik ou a, oswa si pwoblèm espesifik ou a twò konplèks pou yo ka adrese pa zouti nou yo, ou ta dwe konsilte yon avoka ki gen lisans nan zòn ou an. Sit nou yo ak sèvis nou yo pa gen entansyon kreye okenn relasyon avoka-kliyan, epi itilizasyon sit nou yo ak sèvis nou yo pa pral kreye yon relasyon avoka-kliyan nan okenn sikonstans ant ou menm ak nou. Nou pa yon sèvis referans avoka e sit yo ak sèvis yo ak lòt resous ak enfòmasyon yo se pou itilizasyon pèsonèl sèlman.

DMHAS Acquired Brain Injury Servic es Yon Entegrasyon Sèvis Kominotè pou Konsomatè ki gen blesi nan sèvo. ( PWOGRAM DMHAS BLESYON SÈVO )

Social Security Administratio n Social Security Office in Waterbury Suite 1, 51 North Elm St 06702, Waterbury, Connecticut 1-877-405-4874 , 1-800-772-1213 , 1-800-325-0778 Disability Determination Services While applications for Social Security disability are taken in the local field offices, the medical decisions are made in each state by a disability determination service. If you have already filed an application for disability benefits or if you are a medical provider, you can mail medical information on a Connecticut applicant to: Disability Determination Services 309 Warwarme Avenue Hartford, CT. 06114 Social Security Administration Social Security Office in Willimantic Ste 19, 1320 Main St 06226, Wil Social Security Administration Social Security Office in Willimantic Ste 19, 1320 Main St 06226, Willimantic, Connecticut 1-877-405-0488, 1-800-772-1213, 1-800-325-0778 Social Security Administration Social Security Office in Waterbury Suite 1, 51 North Elm St 06702, Social Security Administration Social Security Office in Waterbury Suite 1, 51 North Elm St 06702, Waterbury, Connecticut 1-877-405-4874, 1-800-772-1213, 1-800-325-0778 Phone 1-855-626-6632 Connecticut CT Department of Social Services DSS MFP Money Follows the Person a Phone 1-855-626-6632 Connecticut CT Department of Social Services DSS MFP Money Follows the Person and ABI Waiver Program Fairfield Hartford Litchfield Middlesex New Haven New London Tolland Windham CT community care Home Health ABI Resources Social Security Administration Social Security Office in Willimantic Ste 19, 1320 Main St 06226, Wil Social Security Administration Social Security Office in Willimantic Ste 19, 1320 Main St 06226, Willimantic, Connecticut 1-877-405-0488, 1-800-772-1213, 1-800-325-0778 1/29

Ki efè potansyèl TBI? , Gravite yon blesi twomatik nan sèvo (TBI) ka varye ant "mode" (sa vle di, yon brèf chanjman nan estati mantal oswa konsyans) rive nan "grav" (sètadi, yon peryòd pwolonje san konesans oswa amnésie apre aksidan an). Yon TBI ka lakòz yon pakèt chanjman fonksyonèl a kout oswa alontèm ki afekte: , Panse (sa vle di, memwa ak rezònman); Sansasyon (sa vle di, je ak balans); Lang (sa vle di, kominikasyon, ekspresyon, ak konpreyansyon); epi Emosyon (sa vle di, depresyon, enkyetid, chanjman pèsonalite, agresyon, aji, ak enkonvenyans sosyal). Yon TBI ka lakòz epilepsi tou epi ogmante risk pou maladi tankou maladi alzayme a, maladi Parkinson ak lòt maladi nan sèvo. Apeprè 75% nan TBI ki rive chak ane se chòk oswa lòt fòm TBI modere. Repete TBI modere ki rive sou yon peryòd tan pwolonje ka lakòz defisi newolojik ak kognitif kimilatif. TBI modere repete ki rive nan yon peryòd tan kout (sa vle di, èdtan, jou, oswa semèn) ka katastwofik oswa fatal. , Pou enfòmasyon sou fason pou anpeche TBI ak efè potansyèlman grav nan aksidan sa a, tanpri vizite paj Prevansyon TBI. , , , ,

Support groups: Make connections, and get help. You don't have to go alone if you're facing a significant illness or stressful life change. A support group can help. Find out how to choose the right one. Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. For example, this common ground might be cancer, chronic medical conditions, addiction, bereavement, or caregiving. A support group allows people to share personal experiences, feelings, coping Support groups: Make connections, and get help. You don't have to go alone if you're facing a significant illness or stressful life change. A support group can help. Find out how to choose the right one. Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. For example, this common ground might be cancer, chronic medical conditions, addiction, bereavement, or caregiving. A support group allows people to share personal experiences, feelings, coping Support groups: Make connections, and get help. You don't have to go alone if you're facing a significant illness or stressful life change. A support group can help. Find out how to choose the right one. Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. For example, this common ground might be cancer, chronic medical conditions, addiction, bereavement, or caregiving. A support group allows people to share personal experiences, feelings, coping 1/2 Support groups: Make connections, and get help. You don't have to go alone if you're facing a significant illness or stressful life change. A support group can help. Find out how to choose the right one. Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. For example, this common ground might be cancer, chronic medical conditions, addiction, bereavement, or caregiving. A support group allows people to share personal experiences, feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand information about diseases or treatments. For many people, a health-related support group may fill a gap between medical treatment and the need for emotional support. A person's relationship with a doctor or other medical personnel may not provide adequate emotional support, and a person's family and friends may not understand the impact of a disease or treatment. A support group among people with shared experiences may function as a bridge between medical and emotional needs. Structure of support groups A nonprofit advocacy organization, clinic, hospital, or community organization may offer support groups. They also may be independent of any organization and run entirely by group members. Formats of support groups vary, including face-to-face meetings, teleconferences, or online communities. A lay person — someone who shares or has shared the group's common experience — often leads a support group, but a group also may be led by a professional facilitator, such as a nurse, social worker, or psychologist. Some support groups may offer educational opportunities, such as a guest doctor, psychologist, nurse, or social worker, to discuss a topic related to the group's needs. Support groups are not the same as group therapy sessions. Group therapy is a specific type of mental health treatment that brings together several people with similar conditions under the guidance of a licensed mental health care provider. Benefits of support groups The shared experience among support group members often means they have similar feelings, worries, everyday problems, treatment decisions, or side effects. Participating in a group allows you to be with people who likely have a common purpose and the potential to understand one another. The benefits of participating in a support group may include the following: Feeling less lonely, isolated, or judged. Reducing distress, depression, anxiety, or fatigue Talking openly and honestly about your feelings Improving skills to cope with challenges Staying motivated to manage chronic conditions or stick to treatment plans Gaining a sense of empowerment, control, or hope Improving understanding of a disease and your own experience with it Getting practical feedback about treatment options Learning about health, economic or social resources Possible risks Support groups may have drawbacks, and influential groups generally depend on the facilitator to help avoid these problems. These problems may include the following: Disruptive group members Conversation dominated by griping Lack of confidentiality Emotional entanglement, group tension, or interpersonal conflicts Inappropriate or unsound medical advice Competitive comparisons of whose condition or experience are worse Pros and cons of online support groups Online support groups offer benefits and risks that are particular to that format. It's essential to consider these factors before joining an online group. Benefits of online groups include: More frequent or flexible participation Opportunities for people who may not have local face-to-face support groups A degree of privacy or anonymity Risks of online support groups include the following: Communication only by written text can lead to confusion or understanding and clarity among group members. Anonymity may lead to inappropriate or disrespectful comments or behaviors. Participation online may result in isolation from other friends or family. Online communities may be particularly susceptible to misinformation or information overload. People may use the online environment to prey on people, promote a product or commit fraud. How to find a support group Information about support groups may be available from the following: Your doctor, clinic, or hospital Nonprofit organizations that advocate for particular medical conditions or life changes National Institutes of Health websites for specific diseases and conditions Questions to ask before joining a support group Support groups vary in how they are organized and led. Before joining a support group, ask the following questions: Is the group designed for people with a specific medical condition or a particular stage of disease? Does the group meet for a set period of time, or does it continue indefinitely? Where does the group meet? At what times and how often does the group meet? Is there a facilitator or moderator? Has the facilitator undergone training? Is a mental health expert involved with the group? What are the guidelines for confidentiality? Are there established ground rules for group participation? What is a typical meeting like? Is it free, and if not, what are the fees? Red flags that might indicate a problematic support group include the following: Promises of a sure cure for your disease or condition High fees to attend the group Pressure to purchase products or services Getting the most out of a support group When you join a new support group, you may be nervous about sharing personal issues with people you don't know. You may benefit from simply listening. Over time, however, contributing your ideas and experiences may help you get more out of a support group. Try a support group for a few weeks. If it doesn't feel like a good fit for you, consider a different support group or a different support group format. Remember that a support group isn't a substitute for regular medical care. Let your doctor know that you're participating in a support group. If you don't think a support group is appropriate for you but need help coping with your condition or situation, talk to your doctor about counseling or other types of therapy.