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Support Is Care

Support is care when family, friends, and others are there to compassionately listen, give their emotional support, and help you find solutions to the problems you face.

Living with chronic illness can present personal challenges. Everything from financial problems to pain and fatigue to frustration and isolation can create feelings of loss of control and hopelessness about life; yet another challenge that affects the quality of your life, and can affect your overall health as well. Support can help you overcome challenges to your health.

In COPE’s support groups, people with common chronic illness experiences and concerns provide emotional and moral support for one another. Participants encourage each other to set goals, create action plans, and think and act proactively.

Together, they create a community and a place of belonging where group members get help to deal with challenges to their health. Sharing in a support group is always confidential.

Support Group Activities

In our support groups, participants encourage a sense of community, provide empathy and understanding for one another, and sometimes, create an avenue for social support outside of the group.

Meetings are directed by a support group facilitator who guides group members in a healthy and purposeful discussion. Meetings are scheduled monthly and can take place in person, over the phone, or online.

Additional Activities

In addition to facilitated sharing, support group activities provide information, exercises, and techniques to:

Create self-management plans
Deal with frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation
Maintain and improve strength, flexibility, and endurance
Develop healthy eating habits
Manage depression
Use breathing techniques to manage anxiety and stress
Navigate the healthcare and support services systems
Follow treatment and care plans
Evaluate new treatment options
Communicate effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
Make good decisions about your health