Support Groups

The Volunteer Chaplaincy Program at Gifford Medical Center invites community members to attend “Living Through Loss,” a grief support group from noon to 1:30 p.m. every Friday in the Gifford Medical Center Chapel. The weekly group is open to anyone who has experienced loss.

Each of the Friday sessions is facilitated by Gifford Volunteer Chaplain Anna Mary Zigmann, RN, an ordained minister and spiritual care provider specializing in trauma and loss, or the Rev. Timothy Eberhardt, spiritual care coordinator for the Chaplaincy Program. There is no religious component to the group apart from a Serenity Prayer to close each meeting.

For more information about the group, email teberhardt@giffordmed.org or azigmann@gmail.com, or call 802-728-2107.

This FREE PreventT2 lifestyle-change program can help with weight loss, increasing physical activity, and reducing stress.

With PreventT2, participants receive:

– a proven program to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes
– a CDC-approved curriculum and trained lifestyle coach
– a year-long program with weekly meetings for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months
– support from others like you as you learn new skills
– a one-month FREE membership to Curves.

Date: Thursdays, April 4 – Oct. 3, 2019
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Gifford Conference Center, 44 S. Main Street, Randolph, VT

For more information, including registration, email Megan Sault at msault@giffordmed.org or call 802-728-7714.

A self-management program with education and support to help you get more active, lose weight, and decrease your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.

Healthier Living and Weight Loss / Prevent T2 participants meet once a week for the first 16 weeks, then every other week, and eventually monthly for a total of 25 sessions over a year.

Date: Mondays, beginning June 10, 2019
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Gifford Health Center at Berlin, 2418 Airport Road, Suite 1 Barre, VT 05641
Lifestyle Coach: Diane DesBois

For more information and to register, call Megan at 802-728-7714 or email msault@giffordmed.org.

This FREE Prevent T2 diabetes lifestyle-change program can help with weight loss, increasing physical activity, and reducing stress. Prevent T2 participants:

• Have a weekly (private) weigh-in
• Set goals, track exercise and meals
• Learn about healthy eating on a budget
• Learn about stress reduction
• Learn about behavior modification
• Work with a trained lifestyle coach

Please consider joining us if you:

• Have been told by your doctor you have pre-diabetes (Hemoglobin A1C of 5.7%-6.4%)
• Are overweight (BMI over 25)
• Don’t get enough exercise
• Have high blood pressure
• Have abnormal cholesterol
• Have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes

Date: Thursdays, July 11 – Dec. 19, 2019
Time: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Gifford Conference Center, 44 S. Main Street, Randolph, VT

For more information, including registration, email Megan Sault at msault@giffordmed.org or call 802-728-7714. Also, be sure to watch this great video about the program at Gifford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI8EcBIOWNQ&feature=youtu.be.

Chew tobacco? Use cigarettes? Quit nicotine products with support during this five-week series of one-hour sessions with facilitator Cynthia Thurston. Participants receive 16 weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches and gum or lozenges—valued at approximately $200), information about other medication options, and ongoing support after you’ve quit or if you “slip.”

Group meets from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Aug. 1.

For more information and to register, email Megan Sault at msault@giffordmed.org or call 802-728-7714.

Are you caring for a loved one? Visit our Caregiver Support Group and meet others who are also caring for loved ones. These monthly meetings include:

• sharing information and tips
• learning new ways of managing your caregiving role
• have questions answered by experienced professionals

All caregivers are welcome.

Note: If you need to bring your loved one with you, a Project Independence staff member will provide respite care during the meeting. Please call first if you will be needing respite care.

Date: First Wednesday of Every Month
Time: 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Location: Project Independence, 81 North Main Street, Suite 1, Barre, VT

For more information call: (802) 476-3630 or email info@pibarre.giffordhealthcare.org

Are you living with a chronic disease? Looking for ongoing support to help you live a healthy lifestyle?

Our Healthier Living Support Group offers support for anyone living with a chronic disease (family members and friends are welcome to attend as well.)

This group:

• Practices guided meditation and imagery
• Creates action plans
• Provides tools and resources to help individuals meet their health goals
• Facilitates open group discussion
• Hosts guest speakers

For more information, call 728-7714.

Date: Every Tuesday (starting January 9)
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Gifford Conference Center, 44 South Main Street, Randolph, VT

Come talk with other parents about the adjustment to parenthood, learn about the growth and development of your infant, get support about breastfeeding issues, and practice infant massage, infant exercise, and “how to play with your baby.”

Date: Wednesdays
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Carriage House (next to the Ob/Gyn-Midwifery clinic), Gifford Medical Center, Randolph, VT

If you have questions or would like additional information, please call Jenny Davis at (802) 728-2257.

Are you caring for a loved one? Are you looking for support or advice?

Our Randolph Area Caregiver Support Group offers support in a group setting with others who are also caring for loved ones. The group meets once a month and is facilitated by Community Health Team Care Coordinators Kayla Thibault and Noreen Fordham.

Meetings will offer:

• Opportunities to share information and tips
• Ideas on ways to manage your caregiving role
• A safe place to discuss the stresses, challenges, and rewards of providing care for a loved one

All caregivers are welcome.

Date: Second Wednesday of Every Month
Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Gifford Conference Center, 44 South Main St., Randolph

For more information call: (802) 728-7781

This regularly offered free 4-week program helps you set up a plan and succeed in being tobacco-free. Free gum, patches, and lozenges are available for participants. New sessions begin every month. Pre-registration is required.  Call (802) 728-7714 to learn more or to sign up for the next series of classes.

Date: Tuesdays
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Gifford Conference Center, Randolph, VT

Date: Wednesdays
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
Location: Kingwood Health Center (lower level), Randolph, VT

Date: Wednesdays
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Rochester Ranger Station, Rochester, VT