Support Groups

Sibley offers a variety of support groups to our Senior Association members and to the community. Support groups are free, ongoing and open to new members. Call the numbers listed for more information and registration.

Care Partner Support Group

This support group is for persons who are caring for someone who needs assistance. It may simply be the challenges of aging or chronic illness, such as Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, Cancer, Parkinson’s disease, or even because of mental health issues. You are also welcome if your loved one is long distance or in a care community. Group leader: Marianne Panke, M.A., L.M.T. This group meets on Friday afternoon (twice a month). Registration required. Please call for more information and to register: 202-660-7104.

Bereavement Support for Widowed Persons

Widowed Person Outreach - Helping and Healing offers support groups for people who have been widowed two years or less. An ongoing group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 2 to 3:30 p.m. A 6-session program also meets twice annually. For grieving spouses and life partners under 70 years of age, a group meets evenings every 2nd and 4th Wednesday. Call 202-537-4942 for more information and to register and learn location. Registration required.

Club Memory

Club Memory is a supportive, social engagement group for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), early-stage Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and their care partners or family. Club Memory meets at multiple locations throughout DC. Registration required. Call 202-364-7602 for more information.

Diabetes Support

A series of classes are offered for individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. An individual appointment with the diabetes educator after attending class is encouraged for review and modification of a participant’s ongoing care. Individual appointments with the dietitian offer individual meal planning for each participant. A physician referral is required for all diabetes education class registrations. The referral should include the diagnosis, reason for attending classes and the name and date of birth of the participant and number of visits. Call the Diabetes Education office at 202-537-4145 to register. Medicare and insurance plans may cover the cost of diabetes education services. Services not covered by your insurance will be billed to you. This diabetes patient education program has been awarded Recognition by the American Diabetes Association in accordance with the National Standards for Diabetes Patient Education Programs. Diabetes support is led by Rose Oshinsky, MSN, RN, CDE, Diabetes Educator for Sibley Memorial Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine Diabetes Program. Please email her at [email protected] for more information.

Lyme Disease Support

Group leaders are Monte Skall and Zena Wilder, R.N.   In the first quarter, support group meets are on the first or second Sunday of the month in Building A, Floor 1, Conference room 1.  There is no meeting in May.   April 8 and June 3 from noon to 5 p.m.  Registration required.  For more information about Lyme disease or to register for this free event, please call National Capital Lyme Disease Association 703-821-8833. For additional information, visit   https://natcaplyme.org

DC Area Myotonic Dystrophy Support

This social support group is for people with myotonic dystrophy. For more information please contact Pat Dinsmore at 202-361-1087 or by email at [email protected].

Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Support

For those living with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, their care partners and family members. Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from 3 to 4 p.m. at Grand Oaks Assisted Living (5901 MacArthur Boulevard, NW, DC). Group leader: Marti Bailey. Registration required. Please call 202-364-7602.

Stroke Support Group

Group leader: Jenni Knittig, R.N., Sibley stroke coordinator. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Building A (Medical Building), Floor 2, Room 5. A light lunch is included. The Stroke Support Group offers survivors, their caregivers and other family members a chance to share concerns and support each other. Professionals from various disciplines provide advice, resources and timely updates and information about post stroke recovery in an informal setting. For more information, please contact Jenni Knittig at 202-660-7413 or [email protected].

PSP Support Group

CurePSP is the leading nonprofit organization working to improve awareness, education, care and cure for devastating prime of life neurodegenerative diseases. These include progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and others. Cure PSP will be offering a support group on the third Saturday of each month for individuals and their care partners as well as family members diagnosed with PSP, CBD and MSA. Members of our support group help provide emotional and practical support to those diagnosed and their loved ones, and reduce the sense of isolation associated with these rare brain diseases.Meets the third Saturday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m., Building A, second floor, room 5. For more information and to register, contact Kristen Weidner at [email protected].