Bereavement Professional

  • 1.  8 Week Group Vs. Monthly Support Group

    Posted 07-17-2018 04:22 PM
    Hi Everyone! 

    I am new to the bereavement coordinator community and looking to "revamp" our bereavement program with our Hospice agency. One thing that is on my list is to establish an 8-week structured support group.  

    For those who have structured groups, how do you balance the group with your grief support group monthly meetings? We were considering starting the 8 - week group in January, but with time change and weather, we thought to have this group meet during working hours (2:30-3:30). Then continue with our regular monthly meetings at their normal time.


    Is this something anyone else has experienced?

    ------------------------------
    Allison Urda, BSW
    Social Worker/Bereavement Coordinator
    VCU Health CMH Community Hospice | South Hill, VA
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  • 2.  RE: 8 Week Group Vs. Monthly Support Group

    Posted 07-18-2018 08:47 AM

    Hi Allison,

     

    I do not lead a regular monthly meeting. Instead I lead weekly bereavement support groups as it allows for deeper sharing and connections at a faster rate. Most of the groups I lead run for 8 weeks; however I have done 6-week and 10-week long groups, too.

     

    I try to offer an evening group from 530-7 pm and a daytime group from 1230-2 pm. Participants must choose the day or evening schedule. These groups are closed. Prior to participating I schedule a brief intake with each person to learn more about their story, their experience in participating in other groups and how they found out about the group.

     

     

     

    Thank you,

     

    Shelly Bathe Lenn, M.Ed., C.A.G.S.

    Bereavement Coordinator, Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice and

    The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens

     

    Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice

    168 Industrial Dr.

    Northampton, MA 01060

    P: 413 582 5312 

    F: 413 584 9615

    www.cooleydickinson/thegarden

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: 8 Week Group Vs. Monthly Support Group

    Posted 07-19-2018 09:27 AM
    ​Dear Alison,
    Welcome to Bereavement Coordinating.
    The requirements for groups is non-specific about what we offer. It depends on your population and what their needs are. I will say that Partner/Spouse Loss and Those who have lost a child are loss specific categories most often needed. Those who have had these losses find such support in meeting with each other. I run a daytime and an evening group for partner/spouse loss which is on-going. I now offer an 8 week group for Parent's who have lost an adult child.  I always require a screening via phone and face to face to assure the group is a good match and that entry into the group goes smoothly. If your are unable to offer a specific group it is always appropriate to find a local organization that offers support. Such as "Compassionate Friends" etc. I hope this is helpful. Take good care.

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    KarenGoreNorwell VNA and HospiceBereavement CoordinatorMA[Country
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: 8 Week Group Vs. Monthly Support Group

    Posted 07-19-2018 11:18 AM
    Hi,
    We do both a drop in group format and a 6 week format. Both are for an hour and a half.   An hour feels too short.  An hour and half allows participants time to settle in and share.  We do one drop in group for an hour but it is structured around the physiological aspects of grief and participants are focused on practicing new skills for stress reduction rather than talking.  One hour fits into people's schedule during the day better than the 1 1/2.
    Betsy

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    Betsy S. Kramer, MA
    Hospice of San Joaquin
    Bereavement Manager
    Stockton, CA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: 8 Week Group Vs. Monthly Support Group

    Posted 07-19-2018 04:27 PM
    ​Great question. I have found that offering a mix of groups is best, if you are able to do that and have the resources. For example, some people prefer drop in monthly open groups and others prefer a closed 6 or 8 week group. Offering at different times of the day and in different locations is also good. It is helpful to know what other support groups are available in your community (hospice and other) and maybe plan in areas or times or topics that are not already available.

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    Robin Fiorelli LCSW
    Sr. Director of Bereavement and Volunteers
    VITAS
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: 8 Week Group Vs. Monthly Support Group

    Posted 08-16-2018 09:34 AM
    Hi - 

    We offer 6-week grief support groups as well as a variety of loss specific and general monthly groups.  The monthly groups are open and do not require registration.  The 6-week groups are psychoeducational in nature. Folks need to  register  for the group and the facilitator screens them for appropriateness, etc.  Oftentimes the bereaved moved from a 6-week to a monthly group.

    Hope that helps,
    Diane

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    Diane Snyder Cowan, CHPCA,MA,MT-BC
    Director of Bereavement Center
    Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: 8 Week Group Vs. Monthly Support Group

    Posted 08-16-2018 09:17 AM

    I am currently looking to change the way we do support groups at our hospice.  We currently have a Men's Support Group that meets every Tuesday at 3:30pm - 4:30pm and a Woman's Support Group that meets every Thursday at 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.  We also have an educational class that meets for 8 week at a time on Monday nights form 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.  I am concerned about the two weekly groups seems to have evolved into more social clubs that have the same 5 to 10 members that have been coming for a year or more every week.  I am also concerned that the attendees of the weekly groups developing a dependency on the groups.  I would appreciate any insight that any one might have.

    Thank you!



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    Rev. Jason D. Harter
    Bereavement Program Manager
    Washington Regional Hospice
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    Original Message


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