Bereavement Professional

  • 1.  Walking Bereavement Group

    Posted 11-09-2020 12:54 PM
    I am so excited to share that I have been given the "all-clear" to hold an outdoor (masked and socially-distant) walking bereavement support group!

    I have searched the threads here and have seen a few things pop up regarding walking groups, but I couldn't spot a specific thread on this topic. So, that being said, I'm asking for advice and ideas for sessions. Has anyone else done this before (before/during COVID) and would be willing to share what has worked for you?

    Thanks in advance!

    ------------------------------
    Renee Beverlin, LPC-R
    Resident in Counseling
    Community Bereavement Coordinator
    Augusta Health, Hospice of the Shenandoah
    Fishersville, VA
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  • 2.  RE: Walking Bereavement Group

    Posted 11-10-2020 08:16 AM
    Renee,
    Good morning! I am a bereavement counselor with Hospice of Holland in Holland, Michigan. I am so happy to see your post because I have facilitated two grief walking groups during COVID this past spring and summer and they were very successful. If you would like more information, please email me at jcrawford@hollandhospice.org.  Thank you!

    Jayne Crawford
    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Walking Bereavement Group

    Posted 11-10-2020 09:25 AM
    KS is fine. Thank you!

    Beth Ballenger, MSW
    Executive Director
    Ascend Hospice

    Cell: 816-266-1733<tel:816-266-1733>

    Missouri Office:
    Office: 816-584-8111<tel:816-584-8111>
    Fax: 816-584-8110<tel:816-584-8110>

    Kansas Office:
    Office: 913-287-5678<tel:913-287-5678>
    Fax: 816-287-2176<tel:816-287-2176>
    AscendHospice.com<http://ascendhospice.com/>


    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Walking Bereavement Group

    Posted 11-10-2020 09:36 AM
    We hosted a walking group pre-covid, and we also hosted one again this summer.

    We discovered that it's best to have two facilitators present. One of us would walk with the some members, and then the other would sit at a picnic table with the other members. Since so many of our participants were hungry for "in-person" groups, we had a really large turnout; therefore, it was helpful to split the group into two so it was more manageable. Additionally, some people came simply because they wanted an "in-person" group, and they were not mobile enough to walk. So they definitely needed to simply sit at the picnic table.

    For the individuals that sat at the picnic table, we ran it similar to a traditional "in-person" support group. Our facilitators would come with a topic, and we would see where conversation led. The walking group was a bit more organic and free flowing. Our facilitator would have some topics in mind, but she would also simply see where the conversation led.

    Our participants really appreciated this group this summer. I know they really miss the large slate of "in-person" groups that we used to offer, and this was the best we could do in light of the ongoing pandemic.

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    Anne Alesch, MDiv.
    Bereavement Coordinator, Hospice
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Walking Bereavement Group

    Posted 11-10-2020 10:10 AM
    That is amazing! We do not offer anything like this so I'll be interested to hear how things go for getting a group like this up and going.


    Cate Jarvis, MA



    School Grief Support Counselor

    Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan

    Oakland Centre

    2255 W. Centre Ave.

    Portage MI 49024

    269-345-0273

    cate.jarvis@hospcieswmi.org<mailto:cate.jarvis@hospcieswmi.org>



    This message, including any attachment(s), is confidential and is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient(s), you are notified that the dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you receive this message in error or are not the named recipient(s), please notify the sender at either the e-mail address or our central office (269) 345-0273 and delete this e-mail from your computer.


    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Walking Bereavement Group

    Posted 11-10-2020 10:45 AM

    Yes I offered two walking type groups a few years ago.  One was a drop in labyrinth walk at a city park. This was not designed with much talking in mind, but I did bring grief related readings/meditations for attendees to use before/after walking the labyrinth as they wished and encouraged them to use the model of walking in focused on something they were holding internally, spending time in the center setting it down, and walking out open to receiving (relief, comfort, peace, clarity, etc). I was available for 'informal' grief support before/after.

    The other group was a walking group I offered in conjunction with the city parks department.  This was modeled on a walking program the city parks already offered for dementia patients and their caregivers.  My partner on the city side designed the walk route so that it was reasonable with respect to terrain/length and could end at a cafe.  The intent was to walk together first sharing grief/support with peers.  At the cafe there would be a grief topic presented for more focused discussion.  The walk locations themselves were intended to vary seasonally from urban, to lakeside, to nature walks through the local gardens, woods, arboretum etc.

    Attendance was not great for either and probably would have been better suited to a weekend schedule but that wasn't possible at the time.



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    Amy Gray
    Kaiser Permanente Washington/Home Health and Hospice
    Seattle, WA
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Walking Bereavement Group

    Posted 11-16-2020 10:34 PM
    We offered a walking group for several years and it only stopped because our main facilitator retired. But it seemed to be well received. I felt it was important to have a liability form which our legal developed. Well wishes for a successful program.

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    Karen Monts
    Director, Grief Support Services & Practice Manager, Counseling Services
    Northstar Care Community
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    Original Message


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