Please call ahead to confirm time and place.
All meetings are open to the public and cost free, unless otherwise noted.

April 1,8,15,22,29 (6-8 PM). Family Support Groups. This is a time for people who are on a cancer journey with someone they love to come together to discuss issues, give information to one another and be part of a supportive community. Meets at Gilda's Club, 1806 Bridge NW, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Beth Jepson
Phone: 453-8300

April 1 (7:00 PM). *Heather Hills Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer's or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer's Association and Heather Hills Care Center. Free respite for loved one. Meets at Conference Room, Heather Hills Care Center, 1157 Medical Park Drive SE, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Carmen Bassage or Tina Talsma
Phone: (616)949-7310

April 2 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM) - Educational Workshop Series Designed Specifically for Caregivers. Session 3: Managing the Challenging Behaviors of Dementia. Presenter: Regina McClurg, MSW, CSW and Kevin O'Hara, MS. Sponsored by Porter Hills and Gerontology Network. CEU credits available. Open to the public. Location is the Meeting House at Porter Hills, 3600 E. Fulton Street, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Mary at Gerontology Network
Phone: (616) 977-3300 x237, or 1-888-243-3144 x237
Cost: $50

April 3,10,17,24 (10-12 AM). Family Support Groups. This is a time for people who are on a cancer journey with someone they love to come together to discuss issues, give information to one another and be part of a supportive community. Meets at Gilda's Club, 1806 Bridge NW, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Beth Jepson
Phone: 453-8300

April 3 (12:30 to 2:30 PM). *Caregiver Support Group.
For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer's or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer's Association and CareTree Adult Day Health Services. Respite for loved one available free of charge - call ahead to make arrangements. Meets at CareTree, 4065 Saladin Dr.SE, Grand Rapids.
For Information call: Sue Kolean @ (800) 893-8365
For respite call: Betsy (616) 464-3665

April 7 (7:00 PM). *Caregiver Support Group.
For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer's or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer's Association and Clark Retirement Community. Meets at Clark Retirement Community, 1551 Franklin St. SE, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Amy Moy
Phone: (616) 954-2662

April 8 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM). *Side-by-Side Adult Day Services Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer's or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer's Association and Side-By-Side Adult Day Services. Lunch provided at no cost. Meets at Conference Room, Family Life Center, 1256 Walker Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Sherry Gaines
Phone: (616) 456-1620

April 10 (1:30 PM) *Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer's or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer's Association and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Meets at Pine Rest, Mulder Center, 300 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Sue Kolean
Phone: (800) 893-8365

April 13 (2:00 - 4:00 PM) ALS Support Group. Features both joint and separate meetings for caregivers and care recipients. Meets at 1st Evangelical Covenant Church, 1933 Tremont Blvd. NW, Grand Rapids. No registration is required.
Contact: West Michigan Chapter of ALS
Phone: ( 616) 459-1900 or (800) 387-7121

April 15 (9:00-10:30 AM) *Men's Caregiver Support Group. Monthly program co-sponsored by Alzheimer's Association & Gerontology Network. Meet at Burton Heights CRC, 1970 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids
Contact: Kevin O'Hara
Phone: 1-800-893-8365 or (616) 977-3300 Ext. 230

April 17 (12:30 to 2:30 PM). *Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer's or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer's Association and CareTree Adult Day Health Services. Respite for loved one available free of charge - call ahead to make arrangements. Meets at CareTree, 4065 Saladin Dr. SE, Grand Rapids.
For Information call: Sue Kolean @ (800) 893-8365
For respite call: Betsy (616) 464-3665

April 19 (1:30 PM) *Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer's or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer's Association and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Meets at Pine Rest, Mulder Center, 300 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Sue Kolean
Phone: (800) 893-8365

April 21 (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM) - Helping Helpers. A support and educational group designed to provide caregivers with the opportunity to openly share their experiences with other caregivers, obtain information and link with community resources. Meets at Calvary Church - Room 139, 777 East Beltline, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Rev. Doug Stimers
Phone: (616) 281-6516

April 22 (7:00 - 9:00 PM) Support Group for Family & Friends of Aging Adults. Topic: The Long Good Bye, Hope for the Future, Sue Kolean, Alzheimer's Association, presenting. Meet at Holland Home, 2100 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids.
For Information contact: Julie Griffin (616) 243-8116; or Ron Rozema (616) 235-5029

April 24 (10:30 AM - 3:30 PM) Get Away Day. A fun, recreational outing planned by caregivers and staff. This program is designed to provide caregivers with the opportunity to enjoy some time for themselves, away from the duties of caregiving. Meet at CareTree at 10:30 AM. Call ahead if you need respite care for your loved one, or to ride in the van.
Contact: Betsy
Phone: (616) 464-3665
Cost: Pay for own lunch

April 24,25, 26 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, TH, F; 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Sat.)
Circles of Care: Caring for Elderly, Caring for Yourself. Great Lakes Center for Sages Conference with Ann Cason, Author of Circles of Care and William Martin, Author of The Sages' Tao Ching. For Care Givers, Professionals, People Who Care. CEU's will be offered. Location: Grand Valley State University, Loosemore Auditorium Pew Campus, 401 West Fulton St., Grand Rapids. Saturday at Park Congregational Church.
For more information Contact:
Great Lakes Center for Sages: (616) 331-6631
Cost: One-day registration $65; Two days $95

* April topic for Alzheimer's Groups listed is: Types of Loss/Common Reactions to Loss