Chronic disease rehabilitation requires an active partnership. Taking your medicine, staying active, eating healthy and working with your doctor are important. But you will do much better with your rehabilitation program if you have support.
Support can come in a variety of forms. Your family is often a support group. Your spouse, adult children, siblings or other relatives can help you meet the demands of your rehabilitation program on a daily basis. Other support groups include friends, other people with chronic lung disease, people with whom you share a hobby, church groups and clergy, neighbors, volunteer organizations and even a pet! Do not be embarrassed or afraid to ask people for help when you need it.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
National Jewish Health is a proud sponsor of the AlphaBeaters. The AlphaBeaters is a support group dedicated to helping people learn to live better lives with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Denver Support Group: Alpha Beaters
Annual Meeting and Picnic, August 10 & 11, 2013
Support Group Meetings determined by the group during the year.
National Jewish
1400 Jackson St.
Denver, CO 80033
For more information, please contact:
Janis Berend, RN,MSN,C-ANP at 303.398.1858
CPAP & Sleep Apnea
CPAP Support Group
The purpose of the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Support Group is to provide great resources, education, and support for patients with sleep apnea and the community at large.
Meetings will include:
- Guest speaker lectures on topics related to sleep apnea and CPAP use
- Meeting with local industry representatives
- Looking at the newest CPAP masks and equipment
- Free blood pressure checks
- Sleep Techs, & Respiratory Therapists available to answer questions, trouble shoot mask issues, and check equipment
- Free breakfast and coffee
- Raffle prizes
This monthly event takes place at:
Molly Blank Conference Center
National Jewish Health Main Campus
1400 Jackson St.
Denver, CO 80206
For questions, please contact Ann Cartwright at cartwrighta@njhealth.org.
For more information on dates and times, view our calendar.
All About Sleep Apnea Class
This is a FREE educational class for patients with sleep apnea and their families.
Meetings will include:
- What is sleep apnea?
- Why do you have sleep apnea?
- What are the symptoms and consequences of sleep apnea?
- What are your treatment options?
- CPAP therapy and tips/tricks for success
- What else can you do to help your sleep apnea?
This event takes place every Tuesday from 4pm – 5:30pm (with a few exceptions) at:
Patient Education room, A01B
National Jewish Health Main Campus
1400 Jackson St.
Denver, CO 80206
Go in the main entrance and take the elevator down to the basement. The education room will be in front of you.
No RSVP needed, but we recommend that you call ahead of time to confirm this week’s class schedule at 303.270.2708.
For more information on dates and times, view our calendar.
ILD & Pulmonary Fibrosis
The Joe Walsh Memorial Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group at National Jewish Health provides a safe, secure environment for patients with any type of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and their family members, care providers and significant others.
This monthly event takes place at:
Molly Blank Conference Center
National Jewish Health Main Campus
1400 Jackson St.
Denver, CO 80206
Second Tuesday of every month at 3pm in Molly Blank, Room J105
Contact: Carol Bair, RCP, CRC, Clinical Coordinator at 303.398.1912 or BairC@NJHealth.org.
The Mile-High Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group in Wheat Ridge, CO is dedicated to improving understanding of ILD & PF through education, emotional support and counseling for the patient, caregivers & significant others. It is important for the patient and family to stay informed about treatment options, exercise, diet, oxygen and clinical trials.
This monthly event takes place at:
Molly Blank Conference Center
National Jewish Health Main Campus
1400 Jackson St.
Denver, CO 80206
This support group is held the last Tuesday of every month, 2-3:30pm February - November.
Contact: Brenda Crowe, RT/Facilitator at 303.467.4133 or email at croweb@exempla.org.
Genetic Counseling
National Jewish Health collaborates with the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis to provide genetic counseling for familial pulmonary fibrosis patients.
Asthma & COPD
Do you have questions about traveling with oxygen or pulmonary rehabilitation? Visit the American Lung Association's website to search for Better Breathers Club locations across the country.
You can also find support online at sites such as COPD-Alert.
Chronic Beryllium Disease
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Patient support organizations can be helpful. An excellent resource for people with eczema is:
4460 Redwood Highway, Ste. 16-D
San Rafael, CA 94903-1953
Phone: 415.499.3474, 1.800.818.7546
Fax: 415.472.5345
info@nationaleczema.org
ILD & Pulmonary Fibrosis
To find a support group in your area, check out the following websites for more information:
The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization,founded in 2001 to further education, patient support and research efforts for pulmonary fibrosis, specifically idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for and raising awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis, an often fatal lung disease. The Foundation is also devoted to improving the quality of life for those afflicted with this illness.
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Infections
