Bereavement Professional

Hello!

Over the last few years we have seen a drop-off in attendance at our traditional closed 8-week loss specific bereavement support groups.  About a year ago, we also started offering general loss open drop-in support groups without any registration requirement.  Our drop-in support groups have been well-attended, but we still struggle to fill our closed loss specific groups.  We have seen a shift where it seems that people are not willing to commit to an 8-week (or even a 6-week) support group, even though we know that is the gold standard for providing quality grief counseling.  Has anyone else struggled with this challenge, and have you found any effective solutions?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Alyssa Cadwalader, MA, RN, MT-BC
Senior Manager of Bereavement and Aloesea Services
Hospice of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, A Division of Trustbridge
------------------------------

We have had little success in closed groups or ongoing open groups. I would welcome any suggestions as well.

------------------------------
Tanya Williams, BSW
Bereavement Coordinator
Hospice of Scotland County
Laurinburg, NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 07:58
From: Alyssa Cadwalader
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

Hello!

Over the last few years we have seen a drop-off in attendance at our traditional closed 8-week loss specific bereavement support groups.  About a year ago, we also started offering general loss open drop-in support groups without any registration requirement.  Our drop-in support groups have been well-attended, but we still struggle to fill our closed loss specific groups.  We have seen a shift where it seems that people are not willing to commit to an 8-week (or even a 6-week) support group, even though we know that is the gold standard for providing quality grief counseling.  Has anyone else struggled with this challenge, and have you found any effective solutions?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Alyssa Cadwalader, MA, RN, MT-BC
Senior Manager of Bereavement and Aloesea Services
Hospice of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, A Division of Trustbridge
------------------------------

We are doing mostly open support groups and have 7 ongoing groups for different loss types: "any loss", mid life spousal loss, "supportive spouses" (for older spousal loss), a sudden loss group, and a group out in one of our western areas for folks who are less served by the urban locations.  The Spousal loss groups are the most consistent.  We actually had to add a section for the midlife group because it was running at around 20 members.  The any loss groups ebb and flow with members.  Sometimes, we have 12 and sometimes 1 or 0.  

We also do a 1 time Grief 101 group which is an educational/support group for newly bereaved.  We have this as a bit of a prerequisite for entry into the bereavement support groups.  This has been our area of low attendance.  We offer it 2 times per month in different locations but often have only a few registrants and fewer attendees.  We have begun to put an insert into our bereavement cards to give people the upcoming dates which seems anecdotally to have created a few more calls for registration.  We have not been doing it long enough to see any outcomes....  

it seems to me that an expectation of an average of 5 group members is reasonable for us.  some more, some less.  We struggle with marketing the groups and I am working closely with the marketing department to increase our exposure.  all of our groups are open to the community as well as hospice families.  

I am very involved in a community center and it is difficult to get people to commit to more than 4 weeks of a class and that is even difficult.  People have so many options.  Its difficult to get them to commit to any one thing.  

We are considering putting out Grief 101 class online for people to watch at home.  Its not the same but it might be a way to get people to engage.  

good luck!  just keep at it!  
Stephanie

------------------------------
Stephanie Page, MSW, LISW-S
Bereavement Team Leader
Hospice of Northwest Ohio
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 09:02
From: Tanya Williams
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

We have had little success in closed groups or ongoing open groups. I would welcome any suggestions as well.

------------------------------
Tanya Williams, BSW
Bereavement Coordinator
Hospice of Scotland County
Laurinburg, NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 07:58
From: Alyssa Cadwalader
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

Hello!

Over the last few years we have seen a drop-off in attendance at our traditional closed 8-week loss specific bereavement support groups.  About a year ago, we also started offering general loss open drop-in support groups without any registration requirement.  Our drop-in support groups have been well-attended, but we still struggle to fill our closed loss specific groups.  We have seen a shift where it seems that people are not willing to commit to an 8-week (or even a 6-week) support group, even though we know that is the gold standard for providing quality grief counseling.  Has anyone else struggled with this challenge, and have you found any effective solutions?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Alyssa Cadwalader, MA, RN, MT-BC
Senior Manager of Bereavement and Aloesea Services
Hospice of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, A Division of Trustbridge
------------------------------

Our support groups are fairly well attended (both open and closed), but I'm aware that we have some advantages living in a metro area.

We call every single one of our bereaved, and I think that this is one of the most effective ways to encourage people to attend support group. Of course, we are never coercive about it, but I think that some people need some gentle encouragement to make that first leap. I often meet with people individually before they attend to support group because I think it helps them feel more comfortable and inspired to attend. It's rare that we have someone attend simply because they saw one of our mailings. Reaching out to the bereaved and talking with them is the most affective method (hands down) in my opinion.

As far as closed support groups, we've had success with these groups by partnering with local non-profits. We've partnered with two churches in the past year, and each closed group session has had an average of 15-20 attend. The attendees were a mixture of church members and our hospice.

------------------------------
Anne Alesch, MDiv.
Bereavement Coordinator, Hospice
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 10:06
From: Stephanie Page
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

We are doing mostly open support groups and have 7 ongoing groups for different loss types: "any loss", mid life spousal loss, "supportive spouses" (for older spousal loss), a sudden loss group, and a group out in one of our western areas for folks who are less served by the urban locations.  The Spousal loss groups are the most consistent.  We actually had to add a section for the midlife group because it was running at around 20 members.  The any loss groups ebb and flow with members.  Sometimes, we have 12 and sometimes 1 or 0.  

We also do a 1 time Grief 101 group which is an educational/support group for newly bereaved.  We have this as a bit of a prerequisite for entry into the bereavement support groups.  This has been our area of low attendance.  We offer it 2 times per month in different locations but often have only a few registrants and fewer attendees.  We have begun to put an insert into our bereavement cards to give people the upcoming dates which seems anecdotally to have created a few more calls for registration.  We have not been doing it long enough to see any outcomes....  

it seems to me that an expectation of an average of 5 group members is reasonable for us.  some more, some less.  We struggle with marketing the groups and I am working closely with the marketing department to increase our exposure.  all of our groups are open to the community as well as hospice families.  

I am very involved in a community center and it is difficult to get people to commit to more than 4 weeks of a class and that is even difficult.  People have so many options.  Its difficult to get them to commit to any one thing.  

We are considering putting out Grief 101 class online for people to watch at home.  Its not the same but it might be a way to get people to engage.  

good luck!  just keep at it!  
Stephanie

------------------------------
Stephanie Page, MSW, LISW-S
Bereavement Team Leader
Hospice of Northwest Ohio
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 09:02
From: Tanya Williams
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

We have had little success in closed groups or ongoing open groups. I would welcome any suggestions as well.

------------------------------
Tanya Williams, BSW
Bereavement Coordinator
Hospice of Scotland County
Laurinburg, NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 07:58
From: Alyssa Cadwalader
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

Hello!

Over the last few years we have seen a drop-off in attendance at our traditional closed 8-week loss specific bereavement support groups.  About a year ago, we also started offering general loss open drop-in support groups without any registration requirement.  Our drop-in support groups have been well-attended, but we still struggle to fill our closed loss specific groups.  We have seen a shift where it seems that people are not willing to commit to an 8-week (or even a 6-week) support group, even though we know that is the gold standard for providing quality grief counseling.  Has anyone else struggled with this challenge, and have you found any effective solutions?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Alyssa Cadwalader, MA, RN, MT-BC
Senior Manager of Bereavement and Aloesea Services
Hospice of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, A Division of Trustbridge
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hello!

Over the last few years we have seen a drop-off in attendance at our traditional closed 8-week loss specific bereavement support groups.  About a year ago, we also started offering general loss open drop-in support groups without any registration requirement.  Our drop-in support groups have been well-attended, but we still struggle to fill our closed loss specific groups.  We have seen a shift where it seems that people are not willing to commit to an 8-week (or even a 6-week) support group, even though we know that is the gold standard for providing quality grief counseling.  Has anyone else struggled with this challenge, and have you found any effective solutions?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Alyssa Cadwalader, MA, RN, MT-BC
Senior Manager of Bereavement and Aloesea Services
Hospice of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, A Division of Trustbridge
------------------------------

Alyssa, We offer both drop in as well as closed groups and our closed groups are either 3 weeks or 6 weeks and they have consistently filled so I guess I can't help you there. It's neat to see all the varied ways each of us offer support groups. Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) has a webinar coming up May 9 titled "Innovative Techniques in Managing Grief Groups" led by J. William Worden in case some of you are not aware -- Alyssa if you attended that webinar you could raise your question at the end, as they always allow a good 20 minutes or so for Q & A -- maybe that will help.

------------------------------
Patti Anewalt, Director
Pathways Center for Grief & Loss
Hospice & Community Care
Mount Joy, PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2017 14:56
From: Sheralyn Castro
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

We offer 8 week groups and tend to have 10 – 14 people per group with mixed death losses. We might lose 1-2 people over the course of the group. I always call people who've missed to find out what's going on. Sometimes that brings them back, but not always.

 

Sher Castro MA, CT  |  Program Coordinator Hospice Bereavement Services  |  Sacred Heart Hospice

PeaceHealth  |  677 E. 12^th Ave Suite N100  |  Eugene, OR 97401

office 541-242-8753  | fax 541-461-7697

 

 

 

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We have four types of support groups - one for recently losses, "Newly Bereaved" - two times a month in two different locations. The attendance varies widely from one to at time 20 or more. A morning "Coffee Hour" - also twice a month in two different locations - this is an open group for any loss, but tends to be a bit older group, as many of the elder don't drive at night. "Growing Through Grief" - is an evening group twice a month, it was meant to be more of a teaching time, but usually is an open group and tends to be the younger ones or families coming together. However, the most well attended is our only specific type group, "Loss of Spouse" - we hold this four times a month - two times in each location. 

A few months ago I put a survey in our monthly Newsletter asking what types of support groups people would be interested in attending - 100% of those who replied wanted a loss of spouse group and requested it be more than once a month - so that is what I added. 

I am looking at adding a 13 month and beyond group to be held quarterly - as we have several who are beyond the 13 months and still attend regularly - this would be a good opportunity for them to discuss issues that they encounter in the second and third year that were not anticipated in the first. This way they won't scare some of those who are recently bereaved thinking that things will get worse not better for them. (This happened in the mixed group recently where someone, about 18 passed the death of her husband, mentioned a struggle that she did not have before and one woman took it to mean that everyone had to struggle with this particular issue in the second year. It took talking with her after the group to convince her that this was one woman's experience and it is not expected to be her's too, as she was fairly new to the group and really facing her own grief).

------------------------------
Jolene Currie
Director of Bereavement
Niagara Hospice
Lockport, NY 14094
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 07:58
From: Alyssa Cadwalader
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

Hello!

Over the last few years we have seen a drop-off in attendance at our traditional closed 8-week loss specific bereavement support groups.  About a year ago, we also started offering general loss open drop-in support groups without any registration requirement.  Our drop-in support groups have been well-attended, but we still struggle to fill our closed loss specific groups.  We have seen a shift where it seems that people are not willing to commit to an 8-week (or even a 6-week) support group, even though we know that is the gold standard for providing quality grief counseling.  Has anyone else struggled with this challenge, and have you found any effective solutions?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Alyssa Cadwalader, MA, RN, MT-BC
Senior Manager of Bereavement and Aloesea Services
Hospice of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, A Division of Trustbridge
------------------------------

I would highly recommend the The Grief Recovery Outreach Program by John James and Russell Friedman.  It provides a structured eight week class for multiple types of losses.  It can be adapted to both group and one on one settings.   It gives attenders a tool they can use over and over for other losses that they want to work on in their lives.    While the training is not inexpensive,  the organization provides support for their grief specialists, by being available to talk about unique and critical issues that a counselor may encounter.

I have used this material since the Spring of 2008 and received very positive feedback from those who commit to finishing the class.  My hospice social worker who shares the bereavement followup load for hospice with me, took the training last spring and endorses it as well. 

Rev.  Kerry L. Lambert M.Div, BCC
Murray-Calloway County Hospital
Murray, KY

------------------------------
Kerry L. Lambert
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2017 12:56
From: Jolene Currie
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

We have four types of support groups - one for recently losses, "Newly Bereaved" - two times a month in two different locations. The attendance varies widely from one to at time 20 or more. A morning "Coffee Hour" - also twice a month in two different locations - this is an open group for any loss, but tends to be a bit older group, as many of the elder don't drive at night. "Growing Through Grief" - is an evening group twice a month, it was meant to be more of a teaching time, but usually is an open group and tends to be the younger ones or families coming together. However, the most well attended is our only specific type group, "Loss of Spouse" - we hold this four times a month - two times in each location. 

A few months ago I put a survey in our monthly Newsletter asking what types of support groups people would be interested in attending - 100% of those who replied wanted a loss of spouse group and requested it be more than once a month - so that is what I added. 

I am looking at adding a 13 month and beyond group to be held quarterly - as we have several who are beyond the 13 months and still attend regularly - this would be a good opportunity for them to discuss issues that they encounter in the second and third year that were not anticipated in the first. This way they won't scare some of those who are recently bereaved thinking that things will get worse not better for them. (This happened in the mixed group recently where someone, about 18 passed the death of her husband, mentioned a struggle that she did not have before and one woman took it to mean that everyone had to struggle with this particular issue in the second year. It took talking with her after the group to convince her that this was one woman's experience and it is not expected to be her's too, as she was fairly new to the group and really facing her own grief).

------------------------------
Jolene Currie
Director of Bereavement
Niagara Hospice
Lockport, NY 14094
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 07:58
From: Alyssa Cadwalader
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

Hello!

Over the last few years we have seen a drop-off in attendance at our traditional closed 8-week loss specific bereavement support groups.  About a year ago, we also started offering general loss open drop-in support groups without any registration requirement.  Our drop-in support groups have been well-attended, but we still struggle to fill our closed loss specific groups.  We have seen a shift where it seems that people are not willing to commit to an 8-week (or even a 6-week) support group, even though we know that is the gold standard for providing quality grief counseling.  Has anyone else struggled with this challenge, and have you found any effective solutions?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Alyssa Cadwalader, MA, RN, MT-BC
Senior Manager of Bereavement and Aloesea Services
Hospice of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, A Division of Trustbridge
------------------------------

Original Message------

We have four types of support groups - one for recently losses, "Newly Bereaved" - two times a month in two different locations. The attendance varies widely from one to at time 20 or more. A morning "Coffee Hour" - also twice a month in two different locations - this is an open group for any loss, but tends to be a bit older group, as many of the elder don't drive at night. "Growing Through Grief" - is an evening group twice a month, it was meant to be more of a teaching time, but usually is an open group and tends to be the younger ones or families coming together. However, the most well attended is our only specific type group, "Loss of Spouse" - we hold this four times a month - two times in each location. 

A few months ago I put a survey in our monthly Newsletter asking what types of support groups people would be interested in attending - 100% of those who replied wanted a loss of spouse group and requested it be more than once a month - so that is what I added. 

I am looking at adding a 13 month and beyond group to be held quarterly - as we have several who are beyond the 13 months and still attend regularly - this would be a good opportunity for them to discuss issues that they encounter in the second and third year that were not anticipated in the first. This way they won't scare some of those who are recently bereaved thinking that things will get worse not better for them. (This happened in the mixed group recently where someone, about 18 passed the death of her husband, mentioned a struggle that she did not have before and one woman took it to mean that everyone had to struggle with this particular issue in the second year. It took talking with her after the group to convince her that this was one woman's experience and it is not expected to be her's too, as she was fairly new to the group and really facing her own grief).

------------------------------
Jolene Currie
Director of Bereavement
Niagara Hospice
Lockport, NY 14094
------------------------------

Hi - 
We offer both 6 week series and monthly support group.  We have 8-10 usually sign up for the 6 week series. Years ago we went from 8 to 6 sessions and that helped.  Occasionally we do four and/or five week series. It depends on the focus as some are loss specific.   For the monthly groups, attendance is high for the spousal/partner loss groups  but ebbs and flows for the others.  We  offer several loss specific monthly groups as well.  

Good luck to you.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2017 07:58
From: Alyssa Cadwalader
Subject: Attendance at Bereavement Support Groups

Hello!

Over the last few years we have seen a drop-off in attendance at our traditional closed 8-week loss specific bereavement support groups.  About a year ago, we also started offering general loss open drop-in support groups without any registration requirement.  Our drop-in support groups have been well-attended, but we still struggle to fill our closed loss specific groups.  We have seen a shift where it seems that people are not willing to commit to an 8-week (or even a 6-week) support group, even though we know that is the gold standard for providing quality grief counseling.  Has anyone else struggled with this challenge, and have you found any effective solutions?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Alyssa Cadwalader, MA, RN, MT-BC
Senior Manager of Bereavement and Aloesea Services
Hospice of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, A Division of Trustbridge
------------------------------