For Release: October 29, 2012
Contact:
Jim Gosky 330.344.6083, jim.gosky@akrongeneral.org
Kelly Ward-Smith 330.848.6206, kward@vnsa.com
Those who have experienced the death of a loved one know that the holiday season can be extremely stressful and sometimes heartbreaking. The Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) Center for Loss and Hope will hold special free support groups this holiday season to help adults and children cope with holiday grief. All classes meet at the Hospice of VNS Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Copley.
“Reducing Holiday Stress” will be offered November 14 and December 12 from 2–3:30 p.m. or 6–7:30 p.m. The group will discuss stress-related concerns for the bereaved during the holiday season. Grieving persons will learn how to balance the reality of grief along with the expectations of the holidays. Those attending will hear about options for coping with this potentially difficult time of the year.
"Kids and Holiday Grief” is planned for November 9 and December 14 from 5–7 p.m. The session will provide support for children ages 6-12 who have experienced a significant loss, such as a parent, sibling or grandparent. There will also be a corresponding informational group for parents/caregivers who wish to learn more about what to expect from a grieving child. The children will work with an art therapist in one group, while the parents/caregivers meet with the Bereavement Coordinator in another.
“After the Holidays… Now What?” will be offered January 9, 2013, from 2–3:30 p.m. or 6–7:30 p.m. The group will focus on overcoming the low feelings sometimes experienced after major holidays and other special days.
The classes are open to all members of the community at no charge. Enrollment is limited, so please call to reserve a place. To register, or for more information on these and other Hospice of VNS Bereavementsupport programs or individual grief counseling, please call 330-668-4662 or 800-335-1455, ext. 4662. If your church or business would like a presentation of “Reducing Holiday Stress” at your location, please call 330-668-4662 or 800-335-1455, ext. 4662.
The Hospice of VNS Center for Loss and Hope offers a few tips to help grieving persons survive the holidays:
- If the thought of what you used to do during a holiday is overwhelming, cut back on your activities. Make new plans that are not so involved.
- Say “no” if you do not want to do something. If the other person is not pleased, that is all right for now.
- Acknowledge your loved one in some formal manner. Purposely noting your loved one may help everyone recognize and admit to the person’s importance.
- Be kind to yourself after your holidays. Make plans to do something special — maybe lunch with a friend or a day trip.
- Be realistic. There are going to be difficult moments. That’s OK!
- Make lists of what you decide you are going to do. Try to stay focused.
About Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service (VNS)
The purpose of Hospice of VNS is to alleviate suffering, engender hope, promote living and facilitate grieving among patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses, their families and their communities. Hospice of VNS is an affiliate of Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates (comprised of Advanced Infusion Services, Hospice of VNS, VNS Personal Care Services, VNS Equipment & Supplies and Visiting Nurse Service). VNSA serves Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties and is a member of the Akron General Health System. For more information about VNSA, visit www.vnsa.com.
About Akron General Health System
Akron General Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with the mission of improving the health and lives of the people and communities we serve. Akron General Health System includes: Akron General Medical Center, a 511-bed teaching and research medical center, and Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Institute, the area's largest provider of rehabilitation services; Akron General Partners, which includes Partners Physician Group, the Akron General Health & Wellness Centers, Lodi Community Hospital, Community Health Centers and other companies; Akron General Community Health Ventures, which includes Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates, the largest and most comprehensive provider of home healthcare services in Ohio; and Akron General Development Foundation. Akron General has earned the prestigious National Research Corporation (NRC) Consumer Choice Award for 14 out of 16 years. Recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Akron General Medical Center as the seventh best hospital in Ohio and Becker’s Hospital Review named Akron General Medical Center one of the nation’s top 100 hospitals. For more information about Akron General Health System, visit About Us.
