Sunday, September 30, 2012

Caregiving and Hospice, September 23 - September 29, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • In this outstanding and comprehensive interview, NHPCO's Kathy Brandt discusses everything you ever wanted to know about end of life planning, hospice and palliative care, http://fb.me/1zNPjHQ4u
  • Countdown to this year's World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, Saturday, October 13. How are you celebrating? http://j.mp/PN5zfO

Understanding and Managing Grief, September 23 - September 29, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Excellent! Thoughts on Grief and Social Media, http://j.mp/SprqfC « GriefConnect Newsletter
  • A Widow's Story of Hope, Healing and Recovery After Suicide, http://j.mp/VZxXh8 « Grief Toolbox
  • Physician's chilling account of teen suicide: Death came in whatever he might be wearing at the time, http://j.mp/QeW7QP

Coping with Pet Loss, September 23 - September 29, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Offering Support: What to Say (or Not) to a Grieving Animal Lover, http://j.mp/QzbIuP « Grief Healing Blog
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Monday, September 24, 2012

Offering Support: What to Say (or Not) to a Grieving Animal Lover

Source
[Reviewed and updated January 15, 2023]

Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds.  ~ Elie Wiesel

Recently I was asked for my thoughts on the importance of language and the words we use to comfort and support another in grief. Specifically this individual wanted to know what I would advise someone to say (or not say) to an animal lover who was anticipating or coping with the loss of a pet.

No matter how good our intentions, we may find it difficult to know what to say or do in these unpleasant circumstances. It’s not that we don’t care or don’t want to help, but oftentimes another person's grief can leave us feeling awkward and uncomfortable, most especially if we’ve had no prior experience with loving and losing a cherished pet. Still, words and actions do matter, and saying or doing nothing at all (for fear of making a mistake) conveys a total lack of caring.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Caregiving and Hospice, September 16 - September 22, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • 5 Benefits of Technology to Share with Seniors and Their Caregivers, http://j.mp/REinsx

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Understanding and Managing Grief, September 16 - September 22, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Coping with Pet Loss, September 16 - September 22, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Animals grieve, too: Love Transcends Death and Species by Allen M. Schoen, http://j.mp/SLHwMz « The Kindred Spirits Project
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Monday, September 17, 2012

Weekend Conference for Bereaved or Widowed Spouses and Partners

This announcement comes to us from Jim Schwartz, CFP, President, WCESS:

Tools for the "New Normal" Journey
Friday--Sunday, October 26-28, 2012
Arizona State University, Memorial Union Building, Tempe, Arizona

A weekend conference for anyone who has experienced the death of a spouse or partner.

The conference includes a wide variety of practical topics including:
  • Coping Strategies
  • Men's Grief

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Caregiving and Hospice, September 9 - September 15, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Animal Assisted Therapy: Outstanding interview re Pet Partners program, http://j.mp/TZUDOf
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Understanding and Managing Grief, September 9 - September 15, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Coping with Pet Loss, September 9 - September 15, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Sunday, September 9 is National Pet Memorial Day, http://j.mp/PeIh3I « The Family Plot Blog
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Sunday, September 9, 2012

Caregiving and Hospice, September 2 - September 8, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Palliative care expert says: Have your end-of-life wishes in black and white, http://j.mp/RU2bgY

Understanding and Managing Grief, September 2 - September 8, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Kids and Funerals -- Do They Belong Together? http://j.mp/TsFWoe by Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW

Coping with Pet Loss, September 2 - September 8, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
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Monday, September 3, 2012

Deathbed Promises: Honoring a Mother’s Dying Wish

[Reviewed and updated December 31, 2022]

Promises are the uniquely human way of ordering the future, making it predictable and reliable to the extent that this is humanly possible. ~ Hannah Arendt

A reader writes: My mom died last month after a five-year battle with cancer. Even though I live and work in a different part of the country, I was able to spend some quality time with her before she died, including a family trip with my mom and dad, my younger sister and our 13 year-old brother. 
          When we returned from that trip, my mother asked me if I would move home to take care of my brother because she was worried that he wouldn't get the nurturing care he needs. I never answered my mom, but I didn't say no, either.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Caregiving and Hospice, August 26 - September 1, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Booklet, Hospice Care Conversation Starters: A Guide to Introducing Hospicehttp://j.mp/PU4gNi free download « Halcyon Hospice 
  • Very helpful! Death Wish: Dealing With a Negative, High-Maintenance, Aging Parent, http://j.mp/N3QpE4

Understanding and Managing Grief, August 26 - September 1, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Stronger than you think you are: Widow's Voice: The Things I've Done, http://j.mp/QxUIsO 

Coping with Pet Loss, August 26 - September 1, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:
  • Healing pet loss with music: Here's a song for you, http://j.mp/OGi3Dt by Marianne Soucy 
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