Support Groups
Our free support groups for life after a stroke or living with Parkinson's disease provide a place to connect with others who share similar experiences during or after a diagnosis. As an attendee, you will find an opportunity to listen to others share personal successes and challenges, as well as receive and offer emotional comfort and moral support.
Parkinson's disease Support Group
Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation offers Parkinson’s disease support group sessions for the community. The free sessions are open to past and present patients, caretakers and loved ones.
Participants engage with guest speakers, medical professionals and attendees to learn strategies to help cope with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Topics vary, including managing resting tremors, limb stiffness, accessibility and stress management.
Meetings are open to both existing patients, former patients and non-patients of Genesis dealing with Parkinson’s disease.
Regular attendance is encouraged in order for attendees to obtain all of the education and resources needed to better cope with their loved one's diagnosis.
Disclosure of personal information is at the discretion of each attendee. Only the facilitators and administrative assistants have access to attendee contact information. It is solely the participant’s decision if they want to share personal information with other attendees.
Meeting times and location
Group meetings are held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation, 3297 Maple Ave., Zanesville. The program is free, and reservations are not required. For more information, call Rhonda Forrestal at 740-455-5151.
Meeting dates for 2026 coming soon.
Some of the topics shared and discussed include:
- Anxiety
- Companionship
- Constipation
- Depression
- Drooling, impaired swallowing
- End-of-life care, hospice care
- Generalized discomfort, pain
- Legal decisions
- Limb stiffness
- Loss of mental sharpness
- Managing resting tremors
- Muscle fatigue
- Sex drive, relationships
- Slowness of movements
- Social acceptance, anxiety and stigmas
- Stress management
- Vision problems
- Wheelchairs/accessibility
Stroke Support Group
If you have survived a stroke or are a loved one caring for a stroke survivor, consider attending our support group to learn coping strategies after a stroke, lifestyle changes at home and in public and coping mechanisms to relieve stress on the caregiver. The group is open to existing patients, former patients and non-patients of Genesis, as well as family members and caregivers of stroke survivors.
Genesis offers a support group for stroke survivors, families and caregivers. Stroke survivors can reach their full potential after rehabilitation by connecting with people who have experienced similar challenges.
There are speakers, discussions, light refreshments and the following at each meeting:
Practical tools for survivors to regain a sense of normalcy in everyday life.
Opportunities for stroke survivors to support and learn from each other.
Information about adaptive technologies you can try.
The group is open to the community and free to attend. You do not have to be a patient of the Genesis HealthCare System to attend.
Meeting times and location
Quarterly group meetings at Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation, 3297 Maple Ave., Zanesville. Light refreshments are provided.
Meeting dates for 2026
- Monday, March 2
- Monday, June 1
- Monday, Sept. 14
- Monday, Dec. 7
For more information, call Sally Ogg at 740-454-4538.
Some of the topics shared and discussed among counselors and attendees include:
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Chronic pain
- Companionship
- Constipation
- Depression
- End-of-life care, hospice care
- Legal decisions
- Living alone
- Muscle fatigue
- Orthopedic disorders
- Osteoarthritis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Physical therapy
- Sex drive, relationships
- Social acceptance, anxiety and stigmas
- Spinal cord injury
- Sports rehabilitation
- Weight gain
- Wheelchairs/accessibility