Bereavement Follow Up
Grieving is a complicated process. It is well documented that the bereaved tend to be physically and mentally at greater health risk than the general population. In keeping with the hospice commitment to care for the family as well as the patient, the bereavement program administers care beyond the life of the patient. Family members and friends receive telephone contacts, personal visits and timely information from Hospice of Texarkana for one full year. They are also invited to participate in ongoing support services such as: Beyond Grief (adults); The Good Grief Club (for children); Caregiver's Luncheon; Movers & Shakers; and/or The Prayer Shawl Group.

Grief Support Groups - open to the community at no cost are held at 803 Spruce St.
Schedule:
6/03/10 - 7/08/10
Thursdays - 4:00pm - 4:50pm
8/05/10 - 9/09/10
Thursdays - 5:30pm - 6:20pm

A Bereavement Support Group for adults who have lost a loved one. This group is offered six times a year and is held once a week for six, consecutive weeks. The service is free of charge. Call 903-794-4263 for information. Ask for Amy or Andrea.

Movers & Shakers: Meets at Central Mall Our Social Workers will be at Central Mall in Texarkana at 8:15 each Thursday morning. If you want to walk, a Social Worker will walk with you for exercise and fellowship. If you would rather bring a cup of coffee and sit and visit with others who have been involved as caregivers, a Social Worker will visit with you. Meet at the tables in front of Chick-Fil-A, near Sears. Attend 3 times to receive a t-shirt.

    Sponsored  June 2010 by the
Good Grief Club
To address their unique needs, a support group is available for children and adolescents. The Good Grief Club is held in area schools, typically during the school day. Peer groups, from K-12th grades, meet once a week for six-weeks with their school counselor and a Bereavement Counselor from Hospice of Texarkana. Meeting with other students helps decrease the isolation often felt by grieving children, as they learn that others have also experienced loss. Leaders have the students do activities with the goal of helping them identify feelings caused by grief, learning ways to deal with those feelings, and identifying trustworthy people in their lives who they can talk with about those feelings. This resource is provided to schools at no cost. Have your child's school counselor call to coordinate a Good Grief Club on behalf of a child in your life.

Good Grief Day: will be held June 10, 2010
Children (ages 6-16) are invited to our office for a day of activities that will teach them constructive ways to grieve losses caused by death, divorce, a parent deployed in the military, or the incarceration of a loved one. Complimentary Service is provided by Hospice's Social Work Department. Lunch and craft supplies are provided.

Caregiver's Luncheon
Meeting every six weeks, this group provides caregivers with fellowship and support. Volunteers are provided to care for patients during the activity. Hospice's staff provides the meal and visits with current and former caregivers.

Pet Therapy
Certified pet therapy dogs and their owner visits patients upon request.

Grief in the Workplace
Serious illness or death of a co-worker or member of their family can affect the workplace. Hospice of Texarkana offers a program to guide workers through the grieving process and help promote healing in the work environment. Managers are encouraged to call Amy at 903-794-4263 for more information.

Individualized Pastoral Care
Patients and families desiring spiritual support receive one-on-one services from trained, certified chaplains who have completed special hospice training. They will visit homes, assisted living facilities and in the hospital.

CaringBridge®
CaringBridge® is a free, nonprofit web service that connects family and friends to share information, love and support during a health crisis, treatment and recovery. It takes just a few moments for you to create your own personal and private CaringBridge website.