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Community Corner

Monmouth Medical Center Presents August Support Groups

MOTHER TO MOTHER SUPPORT GROUP
Mondays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Once your baby arrives, join other new mothers to talk about what you are experiencing.  Discussions will be led by a registered nurse on topics including infant behavior, feeding, sleeping patterns and crying, as well as recovering from childbirth. Newborns up to age 6 months and fathers are welcome. The program will be held at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 732-923-6990. Free.

HEALING OURSELVES TOGETHER
Tuesday, August 5 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
This free, professionally run support group provides a safe place for individuals dealing with any type of cancer. The group is held at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 732-923-6575. Free.

SHORE-AREA STROKE SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesdays, August 6 & 20 from 2 to 4 p.m.
This group, co-sponsored by HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls, offers support and education for stroke survivors, their families, caregivers and friends who are coping with recovery from stroke. This support group, which features monthly speakers on stroke-related topics, is held at The HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls Cafeteria, located at 2 Centre Plaza. For information and to register, contact Shirley Maguire at 732-460-6743. Free.  

US TOO: PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, August 7 from 7 to 9 p.m.
This free support group provides mutual support, information and education for men with prostate cancer and their partners or loved ones. The group is held at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. To register, call 732-923-7582. Free.

GENERAL BEREAVEMENT DROP-IN SUPPORT GROUP
Thursdays, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 3 to 4 p.m.
This free, ongoing weekly general bereavement group is facilitated by experienced professionals to provide a safe, supportive environment for all those who are grieving a loss. This group is held at Monmouth Medical Center’s 6th floor Meditation Room, Greenwall Wing, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. For more information, call Maria Graminski at 732-923-6215. Free.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD)/ANXIETY SUPPORT GROUP
Thursdays, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
This support group is a safe, non-threatening group for moms or expectant moms experiencing any of the perinatal mood disorders including but not limited to sadness, anger, anxiety, OCD, intrusive/compulsive thoughts, panic or post traumatic stress disorder.  Weekly meetings are facilitated by a maternal/child health RN who specializes in PPD. This group is co-sponsored by Central Jersey Family Health Consortium and is held at Pollak Center, located at 75 N. Bath Avenue in Long Branch. For information call 732-923-5234.  Free.

LIVING WITH BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Friday, August 8 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
This group offers a safe, caring environment where women can meet the challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis, obtain information and share their concerns with others who understand. This group is held at the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center Library at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. For registration and information, call 732-923-7582. Free.

FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP
Mondays, August 11 & 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
This professionally led psycho-educational group is for family members interested in learning more about mental illness. This group meets at the Community Connection Building, located at 75 N. Bath Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling Jenna Rinaldi at 732-923-6999. Free.

OVARIAN CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, August 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This group offers women diagnosed with ovarian, cervical and endometrial or uterine cancer and their family members an opportunity to actively participate in healing after a cancer diagnosis.  The group will be held at the Pauline Fromkin Family Living Room on the second floor of Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling Leslie Shephard, RN, OCN at 732-923-6709. Free.

LIVING SMOKE FREE SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, August 12  from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
If you’re thinking about going smoke free, are struggling to quit or have recently quit, join us for tips and support to help you maintain a smoke free life including stress management, and weight control.  Information about our quit program will also be provided. This group will take place at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 1-888-724-7123. Free.

CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, August 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
This support group offers mutual support, education and information sharing for cardiac patients, those with heart disease and their families. The group provides a place to share common concerns, learn coping skills, explore and verbalize emotions and an environment of positive reinforcement, emotional support and hope. This month’s topic will be, “Healthy Meals When It’s Too Hot to Cook” with Gale Walker, RD, Nutritional Care at Monmouth Medical Center. This group will take place at the Joel Opatut Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center in the Maysie Stroock Pavilion, at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. For registration and information, call 732-923-6990. Free.

CLEFT PALATE SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, August 14 from 10 to 11 a.m.
This support group provides parents of children with a cleft lip or palate a forum to discuss shared concerns and explore resources. For registration and location, call Helene Henkel at 732-923-7653. Free.

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH ORAL, HEAD AND NECK CANCER (SPHONC)
Thursday, August 14 from 6 to 7 p.m.
This patient-directed, non-profit, self-help organization is dedicated to meeting the emotional, physical and humanistic needs of oral, head and neck cancer patients and their caregivers.  Monthly meetings offer information, support and encouragement to newly-diagnosed patients, survivors, family members and friends. This group will be held in the Radiation Oncology Lounge Waiting Room at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. For registration and information, call Rebecca Kopke at 732-923-6473. Free.

SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, August 19 from 7 to 9:00 p.m.
Co-facilitated by Jim Romer, Monmouth Medical Center’s Director of Crisis Services, and a psychiatric nurse who is also a survivor of suicide, this ongoing support group is for those who have lost a loved one through suicide. This support group will be held at the Early Intervention Services Office, located at 3301 Highway 66,1st Floor, Building B, in Neptune. For more information, call Jim Romer at 732-923-6940.

MOMS OF MULTIPLES SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, August 20 from 11 to 12:30 p.m.
Come join the only Moms of Multiples Support Group in the area. Led by a registered nurse and a mother of multiples herself, topics will include feeding and caring for more than one baby, sleep patterns and behaviors, getting out of the house, relationship changes and more. Meet and network with other new moms whose situations are similar to your own. Babies are welcome.  This program will be held at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 732-923-6990. Free.

BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING
Thursday, August 21. Call to schedule an appointment.
We understand that grief is a process that is difficult to experience alone; everyone mourns differently and at different rates. Free, individual counseling is available on the third Thursday of the month at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Call Barnabas Health Hospice at 973-322-4817 for details or to schedule an appointment. Free.

VOICES: SICKLE CELL SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, August 21 from 2 to 3 p.m.
This program, sponsored by Central-Northern NJ Sickle Cell Network, provides individuals with sickle cell disease a format to express their feelings, concerns, joys and pains with others in a supportive, non-judgmental and confidential environment. This program will be held at Monmouth Medical Center’s Stanley Wing in Room 212, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. For more information, call Sandra Sledge at 973-926-7845.  Free.

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Monday, August 25 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
This group offers support to caregivers and family members coping with Alzheimer’s disease. This group will be held in the Geriatric Conference Room at Monmouth Medical Center’s Maysie Stroock Pavilion, located on the corner of Pavilion and Second Avenues in Long Branch. Registration is required by contacting Robin DeNucci, CSW at 732-923-7560. Free.

NJ BARIATRIC AND METABOLIC INSTITUTE (NJBMI) AT MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, August 28 from 7 to 9 p.m.
This is a professionally run support group for individuals who have undergone or are considering surgical weight loss procedures. Discussions are led by multidisciplinary team members, including the program director, registered dietitian and clinical psychologist. This group is held at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Pre-registration is required by calling 1-888-724-7123. Free.

CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS EXPERIENCING LOSS
Call for schedule.
Professionally led support group for children and adolescents dealing with grief over the loss of a loved one. This program will be held at Monmouth Medical Center located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 732-923-6990. Free.

JOURNEY OF HOPE: BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
Call for schedule.
This group offers support for spouses or partners who lost their loved one to a brain tumor. Share stories, tears, laughter and together find hope. This group is held at the David S. Zocchi Brain Tumor Center at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. For details, call Wendy Berk, LCSW at 732-672-7165. Free.

KIDS NEED SUPPORT, TOO
Call for schedule.
This group offers support for children and adolescents who have family members diagnosed with cancer or other serious illnesses. This professionally-run group will allow children to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences with others in similar situations to help decrease their feelings of isolation and encourage coping skills. It is held at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 732-923-6990. Free.

PEDIATRIC DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP
Call for schedule.
Come and meet with other pediatric diabetes patients and family members who are all dealing with similar challenges, and be sure to bring your ideas and questions. This support group meets every other month. For information, registration, date, time and location contact Lisa Ball-O’Brien, LSW, CDE at 732-935-7143.

NOTE:  ALL PROGRAMS MEET AT MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER, 300 SECOND AVENUE, LONG BRANCH, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

For questions or more information, contact The Community Health Education Department at Monmouth Medical Center at (732) 923-6990.


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