Providence Communities Offer GriefShare
Grief is a complex emotion, but it’s something no one can escape experiencing. As we work to enhance lives in new, meaningful ways to meet our residents’ needs, we have begun to offer GriefShare on some of our campuses.
GriefShare is a faith-based program that meets for 13 weekly sessions and focuses on helping people find guidance, relief, comfort, and peace during times of grief.
“While we think of grieving in terms of losing a loved one, grieving also occurs over anything significant and meaningful that changes or is lost,” says Mark Prestriedge, Chaplain at Park Place of St. John. “This could be having to move from a beloved home, experiencing major health changes, or having people we care for begin to experience health issues that change our relationship with them, like the onset of dementia.”
At our Michigan communities, Chaplains Mary DeWitt and Doug Hoeve hold an abbreviated 6-week version of the program for Royal Atrium Inn and Royal Park Place residents, and at Park Place of St. John and Park Place of Elmhurst, these groups are open to the public. Much like our Alzheimer’s support groups at Park Place of Elmhurst and Victorian Village, this allows people who aren’t part of our immediate Providence family to have their emotional needs met through us.
Whether grief is current or the result of something that took place many years ago, GriefShare is for you. Chaplain Mark and Providence Hospice Chaplain Ruth Harrison host GriefShare Saturdays at Park Place of St. John. For more information, email ppsj@provlife.com.
Chaplain Gerry Erffmeyer offers GriefShare at Park Place of Elmhurst, and the timing is based on resident need. For more information, contact him at gerrye@provlife.com.
