Many people look forward to the holidays as a time to get together with family and friends.
But that joy can quickly to turn to sadness for families that are grieving the loss of a loved one.
And this year that grief is complicated by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
“It might be daunting to think how can I now go through a holiday time, a gay time when I lost somebody I loved. So I think that along with now a restrictive, COVID restrictions, it can be daunting,” said Compassus Hospice bereavement coordinator Barbara Schjoneman. Ascension at Home is a part of Compassus.
It’s offering virtual grief support this holiday season.
Thursday, December 3rd starting a 1:00 p.m. people will be able to get together via zoom to learn some ways to cope with grief during the holidays as well as share their own experiences.
“Usually we will have people who participate that have a holiday or two under their belt, so to speak and then they are the ones that can talk to somebody maybe who this is their first holiday coming up and give them ideas on what works, what doesn’t work,” said Schjoneman. “Then that can become a one-on-one conversation where everybody else listens and can glean information that can be very supportive.”
You do need to preregister for the session.
You can call Barbara at 715-525-2269 or email her at barbara.schjoneman@compassus.com.
There are also other types of grief groups, including one geared toward veterans, that meet on a regular basis. Barbara said she is happy to discuss them with anyone.
