Encore Senior Village launches family member support group

Encore Senior Village at Peoria is organizing a new family member support group.

The support group, which is open to the public, will focus on issues faced by family members who have placed a loved one or who are considering placing a loved one in a memory care community.

The group will be led by Encore Senior Village Community Relations Coordinator John Durbin, Ed.D., M.C.

Prior to joining the Encore team, Durbin spent 10 years working for the Desert Southwest Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. In his role at the Alzheimer's Association, Durbin facilitated support groups and taught classes to family members and professional caregivers. He has an appreciation and understanding of the emotional challenges faced by family member caregivers during the times leading up to, at the time of and after the decision has been made to place a loved one in a care community.

Topics covered during the support group discussions will include: What is my role after placing my loved one in a care community? How will I know if I am making (or have made) the right decision? How do I handle the grief I am experiencing as my loved one continues to progress in the disease process?

The first meeting of the support group will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 14.

The group will meet in the activities room at Encore Senior Village, 9045 W. Athens St., Peoria. For information, call 623-876-8300.