Support Group Activites
Epilepsy has a great impact on the lives of patients and their caregivers. The impact of epilepsy can cause isolation, prejudice, unemployment, personal relationship difficulties, negative self-image, and low self-esteem. The psychosocial problems experienced by people with epilepsy can cause greater loss to quality of life than the seizures themselves. The impact of epilepsy can be seen in families as well. Living with epilepsy is demanding for both patients and their caregivers.
For caregivers, emotional problems can interfere with work and other daily activities and the burden that they carry can lead to depression, anxiety, and loss of vitality. Therefore education and support are necessary and vital for persons with epilepsy and their caregivers. Accurate information, resources, plan of action/care, and social support can lead to improved quality of life. Support Groups throughout Eastern PA meet regularly for discussion and mutual peer support.
Choose a region for details and times of Support Group Meetings:
Bucks County
Delaware County
Hazleton
Lancaster
Lehigh Valley
Monroe County
Philadelphia
Scranton
Wilkes Barre
Bucks County
Location: St Mary Medical Center, Langhorne-Newtown Rd., Langhorne, PA, Medical Conference Room, 1st Floor. Meetings are held every 1st Thursday and begin at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Sue Livingston, Education Coordinator at slivingston@efepa.org or (215) 629-5003 x102. Co-facilitators are Sue Livingston and Denise Taylor.
January 5, 2012
February 2, 2012
March 1, 2012
April 5, 2012
May 3, 2012
June 7, 2012
Location: Riddle Hospital, 1088 Baltimore Pike, Media,PA. Community Education Center, Lobby Level of Health Center 3 (Outpatient Pavilion). Meetings are held every 3rd Wednesday of the month and begin at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there.
January 18, 2012
February 15, 2012
March 21, 2012
April 18, 2012
May 16, 2012
June 20, 2012
Hazleton
Location: General Hospital, Office & Education Bldg., Conference Room, 700 Broad St., Hazleton, PA. Meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday and begin at 7pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Mary Loughlin at or epilepsywv@efepa.org (570) 592-1150 or Melanie at (570) 233-6580. Support Group Facilitator – Rose Douglas.
January 11, 2012
February 8, 2012
March 14, 2012
April 11, 2012
May 9, 2012
June 13, 2012
July 11, 2012
August 8, 2012
September 12, 2012
October 10, 2012
November 14, 2012
December 2012 – TBA
Lancaster
Location: Lancaster General Hospital, Room 7, 555 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA. Meetings are held every 4th Wednesday and begin at 6pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Kerri Michnya, Lancaster Coordinator at kmichnya@efepa.org or 800-887-7165 x104.
January 25, 2012
February 22, 2012, Depression & Epilepsy
March 28, 2012, Registered Dietitian
April 25, 2012
May 23, 2012
June 27, 2012, Picnic in the Park
August 22, 2012, Second Annual “Movie Night”
September 26, 2012
October 24, 2012
November 21, 2012
December 19, 2012
Lehigh Valley
Location: Lehigh Valley Hospital, Kasych Family Pavilion, 1250 South Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, PA, 18105. Meetings are held every 2nd Thursday and begin at 6pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Ellen Baca, Lehigh Valley Coordinator at lv@efepa.org or (610) 737-0613.
January 12, 2012
February 9, 2012, Dr. Omar Khan will discuss seizure medications, effectiveness, side effects and interactions.
March 8, 2012
April 12, 2012
May 10, 2012
June 14, 2012
July 12, 2012
August 9, 2012
September 13, 2012
October 11, 2012
November 8, 2012
December 13, 2012
Monroe County
Location: Pocono Health System, 206 East Brown Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, Stroud Conference Room (D entrance – take D elevators to the 2nd floor), Meetings begin at 6pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Ellen Baca, Lehigh Valley Coordinator at lv@efepa.org or (610) 737-0613.
Philadelphia
Location: JFK Community MH/MR Center located at 112 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA. Meetings are held every 3rd Tuesday and begin at 6pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Susan Bolno, Adult Resources Coordinator at adultservices@efepa.org or (215) 629-5003 x103
January 17, 2012
February 21, 2012
March 20, 2012
April 17, 2012
May 15, 2012
June 19, 2012
July 17, 2012
August 21, 2012
September 11, 2012
October 16, 2012
December 18, 2012
Scranton
Location: CMC Professional Bldg., CME Room, 1st Floor, 315 Colfax Ave., Scranton, PA. Meetings are held every 3rd Wednesday and begin at 7 pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Mary Loughlin. She may be reached at epilepsywv@efepa.org or (570) 592-1150.
January 18, 2012
February 15, 2012
March 21, 2012
April 18, 2012
May 16, 2012
June 20, 2012
July 18, 2012
August 15, 2012
September 19, 2012
October 17, 2012
November 2012 – TBA
December 2012 – TBA
Wilkes-Barre
Location: John Heinz Institute, 150 Mundy Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Located in the Patient Dining Room unless otherwise specified. Meetings are held every 4th Wednesday and begin at 7 pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Marianne Sailus, the facilitator of the support group meetings. She may be reached at the John Heinz Institute at 570-830-2039.
January 25, 2012
February 22, 2012
March 28, 2012
April 25, 2012
May 23, 2012
June 27, 2012
July 25, 2012
August 22, 2012
September 26, 2012
October 24, 2012
November 2012 – TBA
December 2012 – TBA