VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center Co-Hosts Training Session

By Frances Dumenci

The Virginia Commonwealth University Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center teamed with partner agencies to co-host a support group leader training program last week. The purpose of the training was to develop the skills of current support group leaders and those interested in starting a group to help patients and families who are affected by essential tremor, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Huntington disease.

“Support groups are an important tool to help people cope with these complex diseases that impact more than a person’s ability to move – cognitive and mood changes, medication side effects, changing roles in the household, leaving the workforce,” said Sarah Lageman, Ph.D., assistant professor of neurology and neuropsychologist in the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. “Groups also give people an outlet to share challenges with others who may have had similar experiences and be able to share coping strategies.”

Participants, including lay support group leaders who volunteer their time to lead groups and health care providers who lead groups as part of their jobs, traveled from across the state to attend the daylong training program held at the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association in Glen Allen.

Partner agencies that co-hosted the training included the SouthEast Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center and the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to meet and share ideas with leaders who represent other diseases. I gained a lot hearing other perspectives,” said Rita DePew, a leader of the Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula Parkinson’s Support Group.

During the program, participants heard presentations about patient-centered care, recognizing overload and coping strategies, engaging and motivating others to facilitate delegation and where to go for resources. The day also featured small group discussions on best practices for facilitating and sustaining a group and keeping the group interesting for participants.

“This program offered leaders the opportunity to glean support from others facing similar challenges, in a sense a support group for support group leaders,” said Lageman. “The day was motivational and participants reported leaving the training re-energized with practical skills to implement with their groups.”


Subscribe for free to the weekly VCU News email newsletter at http://newsletter.news.vcu.edu/ and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox every Thursday.