Traumatic Brain Injury Support Groups in Iowa
Traumatic brain injury affects different people in different degrees, but everyone with TBI experiences similar emotions. Dealing with TBI is challenging for both the patient and his or her family, but sharing your experiences with people who have had similar experiences can help. TBI support groups provide the opportunity to make friends and learn more about TBI.
Different TBI support groups have different focuses, so check out several, if possible, to see which one best meets your needs. Some TBI support groups emphasize learning about TBI, while others emphasize offering adaptive recreational opportunities for TBI patients. Some groups have meetings for patients and separate meetings for caregivers and family members, while others invite any one interested in TBI to the same meeting.
We have tried to make the following list as complete as possible. Since support groups change or disband without warning we advise you to call before traveling to the group’s meeting place for the first time. If you cannot find a group in your area, you may wish to start one. Information about starting your own TBI support group can be obtained from the Brain Injury Association of Iowa:
Ankeny
Brain Injury Association of Iowa—Central Area Support Groups
The BIAIA-CASG meetings welcome survivors, family members, and friends. The general meetings are held from 2 to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month during most of the year, but the schedule changes during the summer. From June to September the group meets on the third Friday of the month for “Friday Nights with Friends.”
These gatherings are from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Meeting place:
On With Life
715 SW Ankeny Rd.
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
Contact:
Dave Anders 515-964-0977
Quad Cities Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets in the Sunderbruch Conference Room at 7:15 PM CDT on the 2nd Monday of the month
Meeting place:
Genesis Medical Center
1401 West Central Park
Davenport, Ia 52804
Contact:
Jan Barker (563)340-0995, kbb32874@aol.com
Burlington
Southeast TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Monday of the month at Burlington Medical Center, Burlington, Iowa at 7 P.M.
Meeting place:
Burlington Medical Center
1221 S. Gear Ave.
West Burlington, Iowa 52655-1654
Contact:
319-768-1000
Carrol
TBI Support Group
Call 1-800-475-4442 for more information on this group.
Cedar Rapids
East Central Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Please call for more details.
Meeting place:
St. Luke’s Hospital
1026 A Ave NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406-3026
Contact:
319-369-7211
Council Bluffs
Southwest Brain Injury Support Group
Please call for more details on this group which meets in the Council Bluffs area.
Contact:
712-484-3876 or 712-566-2369
Creston
TBI Support Group
Call 1-800-475-4442 for more information on this group.
Dubuque
Dubuque Tri-State Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. Please call for more details.
Mercy Health Center
250 Mercy Dr.
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-7320
Contact:
563-589-8000
Fort Dodge
TBI Support Group
Call 1-800-475-4442 for more information on this group.
Iowa City
Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Monday of each month from 7-9 p.m. for fellowship and educational programs and meets on the first Tuesday of each month for a recreation night. Please call for more details.
Meeting place:
Uptown Bill’s Small Mall
401 South Gilbert Street
Iowa City, Iowa
Contacts:
Sandy Anderson, 319-541-1696 (cell)
Lynn Borders, 319-337-4709
lynn.borders@gmail.com
Iowa City Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. Please call for more details.
Meeting place:
Zion Lutheran Church
310 N Johnson St
Iowa City, Iowa
Contact:
319-338-0944
Lakes Brain Injury Support Group
This group had rotating meetings. Please call for more details.
Contact:
1-800-475-4442
Marshalltown
TBI Support Group
This group meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center, at 7 P.M.
Meeting place:
Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center
3 South 4th Avenue
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
Contact:
641-754-5151
Mason City
North Central Iowa TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at North Iowa Mercy Center Mason City, Iowa at 7 P.M.
Meeting place:
North Iowa Mercy Center
250 S Crescent Dr
Mason City, IA 50401-2926
Contact:
641-422-6730
Ottumwa
Southern TBI Group
This group meets the third Monday of the month at Ottumwa Regional Health Center, Ottumwa, Iowa at 10 a.m. Please call the hospital for details.
Meeting place:
Ottumwa Regional Health Center
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Contact:
641-684-2300 (hospital phone)
Sioux City
Siouxland Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. Please call for more details.
Meeting place:
Mercy Medical Center
801 Fifth Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51102
Contact:
712-279-2010 (general information number at the hospital)
Waterloo
Northeast Brain Injury Support Group
The Brain Injury Association of Iowa offers a monthly support group for family members of individuals who have sustained a brain injury. This group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
Meeting place:
Kimball Ridge Center (Room I)
2101 Kimball Avenue
Waterloo, Iowa.
Contact:
319-272-2312.