Grief Group - February 2024

In February 2024, Bartlett Hospice launched its first Grief Group, providing a supportive environment for individuals who have experienced loss to share their feelings with others facing similar challenges. The group was facilitated by two hospice volunteers, Pat and Kim who previously led a similar group as chaplains at CCS Hospice; as well as our own Hospice chaplain, Claire.

Over the course of six weeks, participants engage in discussions covering a variety of topics. The first session focuses on introductions, establishing a circle of trust, and exploring the concept of grief. In the second week, the group delves into the geography of grief, different grief styles, and available support systems. The third week addresses changes in roles, stressors, triggers, symptoms, and ways to find relief. During the fourth session, participants are invited to share memories and introduce their loved ones to the group. The fifth week discusses navigating special occasions, coping strategies, and creating a coping jar. Finally, the sixth week concludes with reflections on recognizing progress in the grief journey.

A member of the Juneau community who participated, reached out to Hospice to express gratitude for the Grief Group, particularly for the hosts preparedness and demeanor. "The Team's dedication was reflected when they were timely and prepared each week. It was evident that they spent a fair amount of non-class time preparing for each session as evidenced by their well-organized presentations and invaluable hand-outs which are great post workshop resources." Bartlett Hospice aims to make this Grief Group a recurring event, with registration available on the Bartlett website.

Bonfire on the Beach - June 2024

Members of the community joined us on the beach to embrace the Solstice; to honor and to remember our loved ones. Participants wrote letters to lost loved ones and fed the letters to the fire as a way to send their messages on. Participants also shared their loved one’s favorite dish and the recipe in a potluck style gathering.

Advance Directives Workshop - Fall or Winter 2024

Home Health & Hospice is working to arrange an open workshop about Advance Directives.

In this workshop you would learn:

• What are Advance Directives
• How to complete Advance Directives
• How to legalize your Directives
• What does it mean for you or your loved one

Light Up a Life - Winter 2024

The annual Light Up a Life is a special way to remember a deceased loved one during the holiday season.

Grief Group - Winter 2024/2025

The Hospice Team plan for the 2nd Grief Group following the same structure to take place this upcoming winter. This group will be posted on the Bartlett website for registration once dates are determined, and will be open for up to 10 participants not including the hosts.

Hear from a Volunteer - Meet Barbara

Barbara grew up in California and worked as a Registered Nurse for 50 years before retiring. She lived on the Oregon coast for 11 years and it was there that she fell in love with home care. At that time, Home Health Care was still relatively new and hospice was just being recognized in this country. Hospice was primarily a grassroots movement staffed by volunteers. In 1982, Hospice became a Medicare reimbursable service. Barbara worked in Home Health in Oregon and then moved to Sitka in 1985 to create a Home Health Agency for Sitka Community Hospital. Barbara left Sitka in late 1999 to pursue a dream of sailing. She and her husband cruised the Bahamas and Caribbean for 7 years, but when in port for hurricane season she worked in a hospice inpatient unit providing symptom management for patients whose symptoms could not be effectively managed at home. After returning to living on land she continued working in Home Health and Hospice in Texas and Washington state. She moved to Juneau in 2019 to be close to her children and grandchildren. Even with her experience, Barbara was grateful for Hospice support when her husband was dying. Barbara feels honored to continue working with Hospice, now as a volunteer.

Fun Fact - Did you know?

Federal and State regulations require all Hospice agencies to have a Volunteer program, and to maintain a minimum ratio of 5% volunteer hours to 100% staff hours.

"You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die". 

-Cicely Saunders

Saunders was a nurse, then physician, and writer who founded the modern hospice movement. 

Grief Affirmations

Small reminders can make a difference for someone experiencing grief. Our Hospice team has created a collection of affirmation cards as gentle reminders, that grieving is a natural part of life and that there is no roadmap to grief. Everyone experiences and processes their grief uniquely.

Memory Box

A hospice memory box is a collection of meaningful items that can help people remember a loved one who has died or is ill. The items can help comfort and remind loved ones of happy times spent together.

Book of the Season - Welcome to the Grief Club

By Janine Kwoh

The author uses humor to affirm that grief is unique and complicated, and that we are not good at it but it is better shared. Numerous illustrations are liberally interspersed by short writings on topics such as emotions, triggers, behaviors and timing. I especially like the suggestions of what not to say (looking at you, friends and co-workers). The book was easy to read and the cartoon-style art was enjoyable. Be aware there is a little foul language.

Anyone who has loved and lost, and anyone who wants to better understand and support someone grieving will benefit from reading this book. There is hope. Joy will come back.

"Our hearts are like clown cars - somehow they manage to accommodate more than we think is possible."



Linda Spencer - Volunteer