Bereavement

Bereavement Support Programs offer compassionate, non-judgemental bereavement support to individuals and families experiencing loss. Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice recognizes living with a life-threatening illness can involve many losses over time, for both the individual and family members. We offer support throughout the illness experience as well as after death. Our goal is to provide a safe, caring, and compassionate environment allowing individuals to express their grief and move towards healing.

What We Offer

• Individual support for clients and families of the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice
• Group support for both children and adults.
• Bereavement Education workshops
• Celebration of Life service.

• Individual Support:
  • Individual bereavement support is available to family members who have experienced loss of a loved one whom has been supported through a Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice support program. Support is provided in a non-judgemental, caring and comfortable environment here at the Hospice.

• Adult Music Therapy Bereavement:
  • Music is integrated into this eight-week bereavement support. Through guided listening and the exploration of music participants can explore their responses to loss as they experience live and recorded music. Group members meet to listen and share their stories in a safe, nurturing and non-judgemental environment.

The next group will begin on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 and
will run until Wednesday, December 8, 2010, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
No musical experience required!  
Open to the Public.  Space limited

• Healing Steps Walking Group: 
  • This is an opportunity for bereaved adults to share time with other bereaved individuals while getting out and exercising at the same time. Experiencing the loss of someone we love can often leave us feeling depleted of energy and lacking the desire to get out and do things on our own. This easy paced walking group is a perfect opportunity to reenergize our tired bodies while sharing and listening to others who have also experienced loss.
  • The group takes place at T.B. McQuesten Park, on Upper Wentworth, with refreshments and discussion to follow at the Hospice.

On going weekly - July and August Excluded  

Beginning again Wednesday September 15, 2010
Open to the Public

• Cooking for One:
  • This new, four-week program (beginning in October of 2010) is geared towards bereaved individuals who are now living alone. The focus is on healthy eating choices and individual menu recipes.   

Children's Program

•     The Builder’s Club” Children’s Program  
  • This program is intended for children age five through twelve-years-old who have experienced a death in their lives. Through group discussions, games, activities and art, children are given an opportunity to explore their feelings regarding their loss, further develop their self-esteem and learn new coping skills. Groups are kept small, with no more than ten children and two facilitators present at all times.
  Next program to begin in Fall 2010 - Call for details  
  

Support Services

• Bereavement Workshops 
  • Though our society is moving towards a new understanding of the grief journey and supporting the bereaved, there is still a perception that “being strong”, means being stoic and that grief is something we can “just get over”.  Through education and discussion of the grieving process and the affect of grief on families, children and the workplace we can help make a shift to understanding and support rather than frustration and avoidance.
  • If you are interested in a workshop at your workplace, club, school or church please feel welcome to contact us.

• Celebration of Hope, Healing and Remembrance Services – Biannually ~ June and December

  • This service is an evening of inspirational words and music as we remember and celebrate the lives of the individuals we have had the privilege of supporting over the past year within our Hospice programs.
    

Next Service - Thursday December 9, 2010

For information please contact Maureen Talbot, Director of Bereavement and Spirituality

By Telephone: (905) 387-2448 ext. 2206 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Useful Links:
The Canadian Virtual Hospice website has been updated and expanded for patients, families, health providers, volunteers and researchers and has a great list of resources as well.


Articles for Bereaved Families on Grief:
http://www.griefwords.com/

Bereaved Families of Ontario Hamilton/Burlington
http://www.bfo-hamiltonburlington.on.ca/

Bereaved Families of Ontario Halton/Peel
http://www.bereavedfamilies.ca/

The Centre for the Grief Journey
http://www.griefjourney.com/

http://www.webhealing.com/
http://www.chpca.net/
http://www.bayshore.ca/
http://www.caregiver911.com/
http://www.dyingwell.com/

The Canadian Virtual Hospice provides support and personalized
information about palliative and end-of-life care to patients, family
members, health care providers, researchers and educators.

http://www.virtualhospice.ca/

All Services and Programs offered through the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice are available at no charge to our clients and their families.