A new support group formed by Clearfield Hospital Home Health will provide emotional support and useful information for individuals living with an ostomy.

Facilitators are, seated, from left, Heather Kisamore and Peg Barnes, registered nurses with more than 11 years of experience in wound, ostomy and continence care. In back is Ame Wagner, Home Health and Hospice director.

For more information, please contact Eileen Goodrich at 814.768,2018.

A new support group formed by Clearfield Hospital Home Health will provide emotional support and useful information for individuals living with an ostomy.

"We believe there is a need for this support group in our region. People who are living with this type of medical device need to know that they are not alone - there is support available," Heather Kisamore, RN, CWOCN, said.

Ms. Kisamore and Peg Barnes, RN, CWOCN, are the group's facilitators. They have 32 years of combined experience as registered nurses and more than 11 years of experience in wound, ostomy and continence care.

Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Clearfield Hospital Home Health office located at 440 Front Place, Clearfield.

The group's primary goals are to:

• Answer questions about concerns of new ostomates;
• Help with the psychological adjustment to living with an ostomy;
• Provide a forum for discussion;
• Help educate family and significant others;
• Aid in any current appliance fitting problems; and
• Provide new information to those who had ostomies for many years.

Each meeting will include a question and answer period and open discussion. In addition, there will be a speaker. Speakers include certified wound, ostomy and continence nurses, physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, durable medical equipment representatives, dietitians, ostomy appliance companies and insurance representatives.

The group's first meeting is April 10. Tom Deprez of Hollister Co. will display appliances. Door prizes will be awarded.

There is no fee to attend meetings. Family members are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Eileen Goodrich at 768-2018.