Support Groups
Support groups provide a safe space to share the experiences, feelings and challenges you face when you experience a significant loss, a change in your lifestyle, or live with a chronic health condition. Support groups are also a good place to share coping strategies, exchange information, and learn about community resources.
We offer a number of support groups where you can receive mutual support and assistance from others in similar situations. All support groups are facilitated by professional or peer counselors. Specific support group descriptions can be found below.
Support Groups Currently Offered:
- Adult Children Caregivers
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Bipolar
- Caring for Someone With Memory Loss
- Co-Dependency Anonymous (CODA)
- Coffee Hour
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Early Stage Memory Loss
- Family Caregivers
- From Heartache to Open Heart
- Health and Wellness
- Hearing Loss
- Men’s Group
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Prostate Cancer
- Sharing and Caring
- Stroke
- Women's Group
( Detailed information on Support Groups below)
Social Services Staff:
Janet Zielasko, MS, LSW
(425) 286-1035
janetz@seniorservices.org
Jeannie DeSmet, RN
(425) 286-1029
jeannied@seniorservices.org
Roy Mishra , MAIS
(425) 286-1047
roym@seniorservices.org
Andrea Parker, MSW
(425) 488-4821
andreap@seniorservices.org
Georgia Rigler, MSW
(425) 948-7183
georgiar@seniorservices.org
Detailed Support Group descriptions:
- Adult Children Caregivers
Are you an adult child caring for an aging relative with dementia or other chronic illness or disability? Come share ideas, exchange information, and receive support from other unpaid adult children caregivers. Co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Northshore Senior Center from 6:30-8pm. Facilitator: Roy Mishra
- Alcoholics Anonymous -
If you think you have a problem, there is a solution. Come to our meeting or give us a call. Two locations: Wednesdays at Kenmore Senior Center from 7-8am and Everyday at Northshore Senior Center from 7-8am.
- Bipolar
Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder are welcome to share strategies, resources, and techniques on managing this condition. Meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month at Northshore Senior Center from 1-2:15pm. Facilitator: Janet Zielasko
- Caring for Someone With Memory Loss
A consistent and caring place for caregivers to learn, share, and gain emotional support from others who are also on a unique journey of providing care to a person with memory loss. Co-sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association. Meets every 3rd Thursday of the month at the Northshore Health & Wellness Center from 10-11:30 am. Facilitator: Andrea Parker
- Co-Dependency Anonymous (CODA)
A fellowship of men and women with a desire for a healthy and loving relationship. Meets every Friday at the Northshore Senior Center from 11-12:30pm. Leaders: Delores (425)-814-2590 & Christa (425) 672-7308.
- Coffee Hour
Join the social worker for a cup of coffee and lively discussion. We have a comfortable, relaxing setting. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at Kenmore Senior Center located in Rhododendron Park from 11-12pm. Facilitator: Roy Mishra
- Depression
For individuals working on managing depressive symptoms. This group provides an opportunity to learn about community resources, techniques, and skills to manage depression, all in a safe, friendly environment. Meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Northshore Senior Center from 10-11:30 am. Facilitator: Roy Mishra
- Diabetes Meet and share ideas, strategies, and helpful nutritional hints with this supportive group. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Northshore Senior Center from 10-11:30am. Facilitator: Jeannie DeSmet
- Early Stage Memory Loss
If you have been diagnosed with early stage memory loss, come to this group to share coping strategies, exchange information, and explore community resources. Co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. Meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Mill Creek Senior Center from 1-2pm. Class size is limited; please contact Georgia Rigler, (425) 948-7183 prior to attending
- Enhance Wellness Booster Group
If you are already a participant in EnhanceWellness, find support, an opportunity to do some problem solving, and meet others who are also in the program. Meets 2nd Monday at Kenmore Senior Center and 2nd Thursday at Mill Creek Senior Center from 12-1pm. Facilitator: Lee Gresko
- Family Caregivers - various locations
Are you a spouse, partner, daughter, son, relative, or friend that cares for a loved one with dementia or other chronic illness or disability? Come join other unpaid family caregivers for mutual support and assistance. Meets: 2nd & 4th Mondays at Northshore Senior Center from 10-11:30am; 2nd Mondays at Peter Kirk Community Center from 1:30-3pm ; 1st & 3rd Fridays at Mill Creek Senior Center from 10-11:30am. Facilitators differ based on location.
- From Heartache to Open Heart
Everyone must deal with loss, whether it is the loss of a loved one or close friend, a treasured relationship, or physical functioning or previous status. Learn how to move through the grief process and grow "from heartache to an open heart". Meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at Northshore Senior Center from 10-11:30am. Facilitator: Janet Zielasko
- Hearing Loss
If hearing loss is getting in the way of you fully enjoying conversations, open your world of communication by joining this Hearing Loss Association of America sponsored group. Meets the 4th Monday of each month at Northshore Senior Center from 1:30-3pm.
- Men's Coffee Hour -
Join other men for a cup of coffee and lively discussion about healthy, optimistic aging. Research shows that positive aging is fostered by good physical and mental health, social interaction, and productive activities. Share your expertise, strengthen your social connections and have fun in this relaxed and informative group. Meets the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month at Millcreek Senior Center from 11:15-12:15pm. Facilitator: Georgia Rigler
- Managing Life Changes
Meet and share experiences, learn strategies and helpful hints regarding emotional and health changes, losses and making new adjustments. Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Peter Kirk Community Center from 1-2:15pm. Facilitator: Lee Gresko
- Multiple Sclerosis
Find comfort and strength with your peers as you learn, cope, laugh and celebrate the challenges of living with MS. Self-help support group members share a belief that positive personal change can happen through individual effort with the support of others. Co-sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Northshore Senior Center from 10-11am. Leader: Lynnea Bell (425)-286-1035
- Parkinson’s Disease
Both caregivers and persons with Parkinson’s disease can gain from presentations by guest speakers and discussions with other group members. Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Northshore Senior Center from 10-11:30 am. Facilitator: Andrea parker
- Prostate Cancer
Openly discuss issues and information regarding prostate cancer, treatment options, side effects, how to cope, etc. All men, in all stages of prostate cancer, are welcome. Meets every Saturday at the Northshore Senior Center from 9:30am-10:30am. Facilitator: Tom Labelle
- Sharing and Caring
Confiding in others, sharing your feelings, and building social support are effective ways to promote your health. Join this open-ended support group to share and care. Meets every Wednesday at the Northshore Senior Center from 1-2pm. Facilitator: Janet Zielasko
- Stroke
Stroke survivors and caregivers meet to share experiences, information, and friendship. A special lunch table will be set-up at noon for those wishing to have lunch beforehand. Meets the Last Monday of the month at the Northshore Senior Center from 12-1:30pm. Call Alice Christison for information about lunch: (425) 488-2213.
- Women's Coffee Hour - Mill Creek
Join other women for a cup of coffee and lively discussion about healthy, optimistic aging. Research shows that positive aging is fostered by good physical and mental health, social interaction, and productive activities. Share your expertise, strengthen your social connections and have fun in this relaxed and informative group. Meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at Mill Creek Senior Center from 10-11am. Facilitator: Georgia Rigler