Group to aid grandparents raising their grandchildren

5 years ago

CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center will host an informational meeting  at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, for the purpose of establishing a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group.  

The event will take place in the Chan Center at Cary.  Everyone with an interest is invited to attend.

Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary, said that the idea of the support group was generated by an employee at the hospital.

“This is a growing reality here in Aroostook County and around the nation,” said Flagg.  “More than 3 million grandparents are raising grandchildren here in the United States at the current time and the numbers are growing.  The opioid epidemic is a major factor in this issue, and that tragic circumstance is impacting families right here in Aroostook County.”

The idea of the support group, said Flagg, is to bring people together who have an interest in the issue and share experiences, offer helpful suggestions and provide group support in addressing the many emotional and stressful issues surrounding the dramatic change such an experience creates.

Anyone interested is welcome to attend the initial meeting and share their ideas.  Refreshments will be served.

For more information contact the Public Relations Office at Cary Medical Center at 498-1112.