The program is entitled “A Voice for My Grief”.©
Individuals were pre-registered and screened to ensure that they were able to participate and communicate either verbally or through mechanical means. They were also required to have a support worker with them to act as a coach between sessions and afterwards to continue the supports they would need. Coaches were given a separate session the first week, giving them background information on grief and its manifestations in this population and some ways to support as well as what would be expected of them over the course of the group sessions. Coaches also completed a pre-group questionnaire outlining the way in which their clients expressed their grief/behavioural changes since the death(s).
The program itself was modeled on HPCM’s “Kids Grieve Too” © program for 9- to 12- year olds. Modifications were made to both the content and the activities (e.g., art work) which would be used.
Participants were given five weeks of group support. Some of the activities that were included were: discussions around death and dying, feelings, reactions and how to deal with them, art activities such as a memory box, collage of feelings, clay work to music, and a special closing exercise each week.
At the end of the five weeks, participants reported an increased sense of well-being, less sadness, and increased ability to remember their loved one(s) with ‘happy thoughts’ vs. it being a difficulty. There will be a mailed follow- up after two months, with the same questionnaire, to determine changes in behaviour and grief expression.
This group represents cutting edge work here in Manitoba. L’Arche Canada has developed a grief support manual for such groups almost simultaneously with HPCM. We are hoping to work collaboratively with them to determine future needs and changes to both programs.
To learn more about Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba, please click here.
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