Adult Bereavement Programs

ADULT GRIEF SUPPORT

Losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult and profound losses one can experience. Grief is a journey without clear direction. We cannot anticipate how it will affect us until we are in the midst of it.

People who have experienced grief have discovered that there is very little understanding in our society, about how grief affects us and what we need from our friends at this time.

When grief occurs, we are alone with our pain, our powerlessness, our fear and regret, our anger, confusion and loneliness. Grief changes who we are.

Family members of clients on our palliative program are routinely followed for up to one year following the death on an as needed or desired basis. Followup may take the form of:

• regular telephone support from the Bereavement Services Counsellor or an assigned volunteer
• individual sessions with the Bereavement Services Counsellor
• referral to our Bereavement Walking Group
• referral to "Finding My Way" Bereavement Group
• referral for Healing Touch or Reiki

Referral to the adult grief support program may be made from individuals in the community who have suffered a loss through death of a loved one.

It is not necessary for your loved one to have been on our palliative program to access bereavement support.

BEREAVEMENT WALK AND TALK GROUP

Saturdays 9-11 am

To register call Ruth@ AV Hospice 250-723-4478

This group meets at the old Alberni Athletic Hall parking lot, next to the future site of Solda's on Beaver Creek Rd and walks for an hour on the Kitsuksis Dyke followed by an hour of socializing at Solda's restaurant. Volunteers are available to lead the group. You may join any time and are asked to commit to attending eight sessions in order to get full benefit. You may continue with the group as long as you like.

This is an opportunity for those who are grieving to meet others who have had similar experiences and share a bond of loss. Often with the passage of time friends and family return to their every day lives and the message to "get on with life" or "you should be over it by now" and all the judgement that entails leaves you thinking there is something wrong with you.

Maybe the feelings are still making you feel "crazy". It is normal to NOT "be over it". You will never truly be "over it". Your life has changed significantly and much internal processing of the death needs to happen.

You may need to tell your story, again and again, long after anyone wants to listen, or you may need to just "be" in silence with others who understand your pain.

The group can help you find a "new" normal so moments and memories that are now "raw" can become gentler and easier to live with.

FINDING MY WAY

This is a 10 week course for the bereaved consisting of ten 2 hour sessions where sharing stories of your loss and learning how grief affects us all, combine to further an understanding of the process one must go through in order to heal.

This group is offered in the New Year and fall when there are sufficient numbers. For more information call Ruth @ 250-723-4478 or email: Ruth@albernihospice.ca.