Great ideas! A few people have begun to share more and more on our discussion section about unique support groups, such as those online. No program that I have worked with so far has tried that, but we may, especially with the growth of video visits within our parent healthcare organization.
As to the other points, our hospice and others I have worked for have provided groups at facilities with varying success depending on a number of factors. At times a facility has requested a group and yet upon arrival, those in attendance express other goals and the group format and topics adapt to the needs of the group. Other facilities that have experienced multiple losses of long-term residents have found it helpful to offer a short term follow up series focused on the professional caregivers. One idea that we have tried and was successful was providing a group for family members to support them in their anticipatory grief while their person declined in a facility on a hospice or palliative care program.
A community needs assessment may be helpful to explore what's been offered, what hasn't yet, and what are the opportunities that may fit with your community's unique demographics within and outside of long term care facilities and other partners. Best of luck!
Joelle Osterhaus, MSW, LCSW, LICSW, ACHP-SW
Hospice, Palliative Care and Continuing Care Psychosocial Services Manager
Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Continuing Care Services
2701 NW Vaughn St., Ste. 140
Portland, OR 97210-5344
Main Office Reception: (503) 499-5200
Cell Phone: (503) 312-0819
Clinical Fax: (503) 499-5535
CCS Sharepoint Site (internal use): https://sites.sp.kp.org/teams/nwreg/NWAmbulatoryCare/CCS/SitePages/Home.aspx
kp.org/thrive
07BB0AF4DFEF22D48f9e8a93df@domino.kp.org"> 
NOTICE TO RECIPIENT: If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are prohibited from sharing, copying, or otherwise using or disclosing its contents. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete this e-mail and any attachments without reading, forwarding or saving them. Thank you.
NOTICE TO RECIPIENT: If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are prohibited from sharing, copying, or otherwise using or disclosing its contents. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete this e-mail and any attachments without reading, forwarding or saving them. Thank you.