[P2-518]: MAKING A CONNECTION: A VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR PERSONS LIVING ALONE WITH DEMENTIA

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (7S_Part_17) ◽  
pp. P839-P839
Author(s):  
Allison Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Support Group ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Virtual Support

scholarly journals A VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR PERSONS LIVING ALONE WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S389-S390
Author(s):  
Allison Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Virtual Support

Abstract To date, early stage programming for the persons with the disease has been limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges and opportunities of a virtual support group intervention for persons living alone with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Following recruitment, participants who were newly diagnosed (within 2 years of diagnosis) and residing alone in their own residence were included in a pilot study of a virtual support group intervention for a 3-month period. Data were collected before and after the intervention through the use of surveys and one-on-one interviews with all 12 participants (n=12). Data were analyzed using a mixed methods approach including thematic analysis. Results indicated that the virtual support group intervention increased group members’ education of the disease, knowledge regarding care planning, feelings of empowerment towards the diagnosis of the disease, and increased feelings of social support. Implications for such interventions will also be discussed.

Assessing the impact of a virtual support group on adoptive parent stress and competence: Results from an urban/rural pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jay Miller ◽  
Morgan Cooley ◽  
Chunling Niu ◽  
Melissa Segress ◽  
Jessica Fletcher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Parent Stress ◽  
Adoptive Parent ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Virtual Support ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals 505 Support Group Lives on Virtually Despite Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S99-S100
Author(s):  
Lyndsay Deeter ◽  
Rebecca Garber
Keyword(s):  
Support Group ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Burn Survivors ◽  
It Support ◽  
Large Geographic Area ◽  
State Region ◽  
Host Organization ◽  
Virtual Support ◽  
Safety Guidelines

Abstract Introduction Support group for burn survivors is immensely beneficial for reintegration and normalization of the burn recovery. The corona virus pandemic, however, limited in-person interactions significantly and decreased the travel capabilities. Our regional burn center serves an 8-state region, and as such, our every other month in-person support group consisted of survivors and family members from a large geographic area. Methods Support group volunteers and staff members recognized the need for continued support of survivors during the pandemic. Limitations of large, in-person meetings were implemented by our host organization to comply with pandemic safety guidelines. Evaluation of resources available led to development of a virtually supported meeting space. Email addresses were gathered to schedule. This allowed for interaction of survivors from an unlimited geographic area. Results Support group survivor volunteers and staff met to develop parameters, topics, IT support and logistics. Every other month support group was converted to a monthly gathering virtually due to easier access by survivors. Attendees completed a survey to evaluate and make recommendations for opportunities for improvement. The same number of survivors were present for in person and virtual meetings. Conclusions During this pandemic, limitations were placed that further isolate survivors. A virtually based support group has allowed for more frequent interactions between volunteers and new survivors. Various topics were discussed including survivor preparedness for public reintegration, worker’s compensation and care giver burnout. Speakers from multiple disciplines have been able to address issues requested by survivors. In this format, we have been able to continue the support of our survivors as they continue to recover. Social distancing has isolated many people during the pandemic; virtual support group has been paramount in continuing to connect our survivor family.

Abstract P851: Embracing Virtual Connection: An Innovative Systemwide Approach to Support Groups

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carly J Rossi ◽  
Nicole Westensee ◽  
Dienst Elizabeth ◽  
Danielle Hagedorn ◽  
Julie Schafer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
High Risk Patient ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Group Leaders ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Stroke Population ◽  
Virtual Platform ◽  
Problem Solve ◽  
Virtual Support

Background: Following a statewide stay-at-home order, Centura Stroke Support Group meetings were postponed indefinitely due to our high-risk patient population. Throughout the organization, stroke coordinators and support group leaders recognized the importance of community and continued support for the stroke population. The objective was to develop a creative survivor & caregiver support offering following social distancing guidelines given the Covid-19 restrictions, while collaborating & expanding opportunities for stroke support across the Centura system. Purpose: We hypothesized that we could successfully support stroke survivors & caregivers through a virtual platform during the pandemic & improve accessibility regardless of participant location or transportation. Methods: Group leaders assessed stroke survivors & caregivers ongoing needs through weekly outreach identifying the importance of the support group and a need for continued group access during the Covid-19 pandemic. Attendee’s indicated an interest in virtual support & a willingness to learn the required virtual platform. Leaders collaborated across the system to organize efforts in reaching survivors & caregivers at each hospital while sharing group curriculum & education systemwide; thus, allowing groups to meet at different times and increasing overall accessibility. Facilitators worked with individuals to problem solve potential issues navigating a virtual format. Results: The virtual format successfully provided support from the comfort & safety of home. Attendance increased in comparison to an in-person format. When asked about preference for an in-person setting only vs. a combination of in-person & virtual format, 80% selected a combination format. Working together across the system, stroke coordinators & group facilitators benefitted from a broader range of resources and connected the greater stroke community across Colorado. Conclusion: Regardless of future restrictions, hospitals should consider virtual support groups to increase accessibility for survivors & caregivers. There are benefits of the virtual platform which expand access to support by reducing barriers such as community availability and transportation.

Virtual Support Group

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (17) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
&NA;
Keyword(s):  
Support Group ◽  
Virtual Support

Actual Solidarity through Virtual Support: A Pilot Descriptive Study of an Online Support Group for Bereaved Parents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghann S. Weaver ◽  
Alex Jurgens ◽  
Marie L. Neumann ◽  
Sabrina M. Schalley ◽  
Jody Koenig Kellas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Support Group ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Group ◽  
Bereaved Parents ◽  
Virtual Support

Virtual psychosocial services for the adult population in a large community oncology practice.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 283-283
Author(s):  
Stephanie Broadnax Broussard ◽  
Emily Pearcy ◽  
Vanessa Dunham ◽  
Kendra Burke ◽  
Jackeline Castillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Psychosocial Services ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Virtual Counseling ◽  
Virtual Support

283 Background: Psychological and social supports are essential to address the emotional impact of cancer. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated emotional distress for patients with cancer and impeded many of the traditional service delivery models for supportive services. An increase in patient reported distress from routine distress screenings highlighted the need to transition to virtual Social Work (SW) services. Methods: Patients were referred to virtual SW services three ways: self-referral, distress screenings, and clinic staff. A virtual support group registration site was created to increase awareness which was promoted by our marketing team. Three different SW facilitated virtual support groups were offered: Stronger Together, Empower Your Recovery: A Program for Healing and Growth for Living Beyond Cancer©*, and Paving the Way for Your Journey: A Cancer Support Program (PTW). Of note, the PTW six-week psychoeducation support group curriculum was developed by six employed SW facilitators. Groups included closed and open formats with scheduled frequencies. In addition to virtual support groups, standard social support including, psychosocial assessments, Advance Care Planning, virtual counseling visits were offered virtually with patients via the VSee telemedicine platform. Results: Social Work referrals increased by 154% from 949 in 2019 to 2413 in 2020 due to positive distress screening. From March 2020-21, 14,948 patients received SW services which was an increase from 10,208 seen from March 2019-20. Of these, 372 received virtual psychosocial telemedicine services from March 2020-21. There were 4092 unique webpage views to the support group information and registration website. Total number of all virtual registrants in the 3 groups from May 2020 to February 2021 was 326. Conclusions: The COVID19 pandemic required us to use, technology and virtual tools to ensure continued patient access to psychosocial services and expand access to support groups, in addition to the in-person SW services that remained. Limitations of virtual support groups and telemedicine included lack of internet access felt to be from socioeconomic barriers. Further research is needed to evaluate the benefits of providing structured psychoeducational virtual support groups to patients with cancer. Virtual counseling and support groups may continue to benefit patients with cancer.

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