Support and Exercise Groups

Talking helps.

Aphasia Support Group

The BMC Aphasia Support Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month, year round on the 5th floor of the Medical Arts Complex. This is in the Outpatient Rehabilitation department. Meetings are from 3:00 pm until 4:30 pm. There is no charge for attendance.

Aphasia is a communication impairment that results from a stroke or other source of damage to the brain. People who experience aphasia might have difficulty speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. The Aphasia Support Group is for people with aphasia and their family members/friends/caregivers. These meetings provide opportunities for participants to practice communication, to develop greater understanding of their disability, and to learn from others who share similar experiences.

Please contact Deborah MacDonald, speech-language pathologist, for more information: 412-447-3077.

Head Injury Support Group
This group meets at 4:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
Meeting Place: Center for Rehabilitation, Berkshire Medical Center
725 North Street, 5th Floor Medical Arts Building
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Contact: Suzanne Doswell 413-443-0200

Parkinson’s Exercise Group
A one-hour exercise class for people with Parkinson's Disease. The exercises target those areas most affected by Parkinson's disease, including posture, balance and coordination, as well as strength and range of motion. Starting with deep breathing and muscles of facial expression and ending with ankle strength and flexibility, the exercises provide a full body workout. Many of the exercises are performed while sitting. Most of the standing exercises are done using the back of a chair for support. Modifications to the exercises are made for those who have difficulty standing.

Exercise classes are held in the outpatient department at the Center for Rehabilitation on the 5th floor of the Medical Arts Complex. The class is open to anyone with Parkinson's Disease. If a person requires assistance, we warmly welcome his or her family member or caregiver into the group. A small fee is charged for this class and a script from a medical doctor for Parkinson's exercises is required. For further information, please call 413-447-3075.

Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
Our mission is to reach out to individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to support and inform using peer mentors and clinical expertise. Through education, our goal is to improve quality of life, implement new insight into self-care and provide members with community resources. The group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm on the fifth floor of the Medical Arts Complex. For more information call 413-447-3075.

Stroke Support Group
The Stroke Support Group was established at the Center for Rehabilitation in January of 1993. The focus of the group is to allow stroke survivors and their families to share with other stroke survivors their challenges, successes, and encouragement. It also provides the opportunity to hear speakers from the community on topics to enhance understanding of stroke risk factors, prevention, and treatment.

The group meets in the Outpatient Department at the Center for Rehabilitation on the 5th floor of the Medical Arts Complex. The meetings are held monthly on the first Tuesday of each month from 3:00 to 4:00. For further information, please call 413-447-2217.