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TOPICS > Lung Disease

Better Breathers Clubs

Club Locations

Recommended Objectives For Better Breathers Clubs In Maine

  • Name: The name of the organization shall be Better Breathers Club, a support group for persons with chronic pulmonary disease and their families, friends and support persons.
  • Purpose: The purpose of the club is to offer community-based educational opportunities and support to persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their families, friends and support persons. The goal is to provide what is needed most by these individuals to help them improve their lives.
  • Objectives:
    1. To reduce preventable hospitalizations, urgent care and emergency room visits.
    2. To provide those with lung disease with the education and skills needed to achieve the highest level of functioning given the severity of their disease.
    3. To teach members and their families the basic concepts and techniques of pulmonary self-care, including coping skills.
    4. To introduce new concepts in the care and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
    5. To provide an opportunity to members to share ideas and solutions to common problems on an ongoing basis.
    6. To provide members with an opportunity to share the psychological and social benefits of group interaction and problem solving.
    7. To promote awareness about impending problems and when to seek help.
    8. To review and reinforce any prior education about lung disease and its management.
    9. To update and make information available regarding new treatment options as they are incorporated into the chronic and ongoing care of persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
    10. Review, reinforce and refer to Maine Tobacco HelpLine where appropriate.

If the sponsor of the club is interested in entering into a partnership with the American Lung Association of Maine please read the following Better Breather Club guidelines.

Guidelines for a Partnerships

  1. Hold a minimum of six educational and support meetings a year.
  2. Make every effort to hold the meeting on the same day and at the same time to provide consistency for the participants in a location that is convenient and accessible.
  3. Provide a meeting environment that is fun, welcoming, nurturing and informative for the participants.
  4. Address a variety of educational issues throughout the year. Suggestions: New Concepts in the Care and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Nutrition and Chronic Lung Disease, Loneliness, Isolation and Chronic Disease, Aging with Chronic Disease, Coping with Change. Contact your local state representatives) and invite them to attend to hear the concerns and needs of this population.
  5. Set-aside a time at each meeting to provide participants the opportunity to share ideas and solutions to common problems on an ongoing basis.
  6. Establish a support network of the participants based on need.
  7. Not require dues or other fees of the participants although donations to offset expenses may be encouraged.

The American Lung Association 
of Maine's role:

  1. Designate and recognize Better Breathers club as an active member of the Better Breathers Club network in Maine.
  2. Post name, location and contact information for the Better Breathers club of “ “ on ALA-ME’s website.
  3. Forward the same information to the American Lung Association to be listed on the national website.
  4. Be a speaker at least once a year at one of the meetings, if asked.
  5. Help locate or coordinate other speakers if needed.
  6. Make available, at no charge, ALA educational resources for participants as needed or requested.

Both parties agree to the guidelines of this partnership and will fulfill them to the best of their ability.

Club Locations

Better Breathers Club of Southern Maine Medical Center
Facilitator: Chris J. Dunn, MS
Day and Time: 1st Thursday of every month 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Location:
Southern Maine Medical Center
One Medical Center Drive
Biddeford, Maine 04005
For Information Call: (207) 283-7773

Better Breathers Club of St. Joseph Hospital

(Since 1996)
Facilitator: Veronica Burke, CRT
Day and Time: 3rd Thursday of every month-12:00 noon
Location: 
Willette Conference Center, Building # 1
900 Broadway
Bangor , Maine
For More Information Call: (207) 262-1809

Better Breathers Club of New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland
Facilitator: Katherine Kroll, CTRS
Day and Time: 1st Tuesday of every month 2:30-3:30 pm
Location:
New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland
Briggs Conference Room
335 Brighton Avenue
Portland, Maine
For Information Call: (207) 662-8589

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