Grief & Bereavement in the Age of COVID-19

The Kentucky Hospice Network (KHN) is proud to host this virtual inservice on Thursday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST. Registration is available online.

Joelle Osterhaus, LCSW, LICSW, ACHP-SW, and Karen Monts will lead an important and timely discussion on how the COVID-19 pandemic affects grief and bereavement and how organizations can adapt and respond.

Joelle Osterhaus is the Hospice & Palliative Care Psychosocial Services Manager at Kaiser Permanente Northwest. She is also the leader of NHPCO’s Bereavement Professionals Community and serves on the NHPCO Bereavement Steering Committee. Karen Monts is Director of Grief Support Services and Practice Manager of Counseling Services at Northstar Community Care (Hospice of Michigan / Arbor Hospice). She serves as a member of NHPCO’s Bereavement Steering Committee.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

1.8 continuing education units are available for social work and nursing via Hospice Care Plus (nursing), #5-0046 exp. 12/31/21, and Community Hospice (social work), #KBSWSP-2021010 exp. 1/15/22. To receive continuing education credit, each participate must 1) submit a license number, 2) attend the entire virtual workshop, and 3) complete an evaluation by 5 p.m. EST on June 3, 2021. Certificates will only be emailed to those who meet all three criteria.

COST

Free for KHN member hospices. $75 per person for non-member hospices. Please contact Brenna to make payment at 859-986-1500. Refunds are available when cancellation is received by May 26 or in the event of cancellation. For non-KHN member reservation payment, contact Brenna at 859-986-1500.

AUDIENCE

This inservice is appropriate for bereavement professionals, program managers and directors, administrators, and hospice & palliative team members who wish to support the bereaved.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of the inservice, participants will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the experience of grief in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. Identify the unique challenges of vulnerable groups, including children.
  3. List opportunities for re-imagining bereavement care in response to the pandemic.

OUTLINE

Review: Historical Context of Hospice & Bereavement Care

Overview: Pandemic Impact & Trends in Observed Grief Experience (before and after death)

Early Pandemic Bereavement Program Responses and Adaptations

  • Shifts in patterns of access to grief services in frequency, type, and duration
  • Bereavement programs adaptations to deliver services (calls, groups, memorials, staffing)

Clinical Considerations of Grief in the Pandemic

  • Normal grief
  • Grief overload
  • “Pandemic grief” (Lee and Neimeyer)
  • Prolonged grief disorder
  • Current discourse and continuum of care implications

Disproportionate Bereavement Impact of COVID-19 and the Social Context

  • Vulnerable populations
  • Children and teens
  • Minorities, especially minority children (e.g. “suffocated grief”)
  • Older adults
  • Immunocompromised

Ah-Ha Moments in Bereavement Care Teams

  • Opportunities for reimagining services
  • Ethical frameworks for development

Breakout Sessions

  • Small-group discussions

Conclusions

  • “This is the moment:” How do we respond in the most critical moment?
  • Review of resources
Posted in ,

Hospice Care Plus empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.

Our Service Area:

Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.

Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.

Recent News:

Give a Heart for Hospice in February

Hearts for Hospice displayed at Community Trust Bank in 2024 During the month of February, several local banks and businesses...

Celebrating Teresa Turner’s Retirement

On January 31, Teresa Turner, APRN, will retire from Hospice Care Plus after more than 24 years of service. An...

Journaling Through Grief: A New Grief Support Series

Hospice Care Plus is offering a new grief support series called Journaling Through Grief, starting Jan. 14 and ending June...

Grief and Loss During Holidays and Milestones

Holidays can be a uniquely difficult time for those grieving the loss of a loved one. You may find that...

News & Events

kilted classic logo

Kilted Classic Coming Sept. 17

The first annual Kilted Classic is coming to Richmond on Thursday, Sept. 17. The University Club at Arlington will play host to the new event, created and organized by local attorney, golfer, and Celtic enthusiast, Jud Patterson. The fun begins Wednesday night, Sept. 16, at the Mule Barn at Arlington with a pre-party featuring singer-songwriter Ashley…

Sewing

To Get Back Home

Nancy Isaacs, a Hospice Care Plus nurse, now retired but with 20-plus years under her belt, will never forget one patient’s bucket-list story. “He hadn’t lived in our county very long,” remembers Nancy. “He was from a small town in eastern Kentucky, and his greatest wish was to have his body taken back there to be…

Leaves

Ace Hardware Event to Benefit Hospice

Bluegrass Ace Hardware in Richmond, with Case Ambassadors Joe and Kathy Litton, are hosting a Case Knife Event and donating a portion of the proceeds to Hospice Care Plus. The event is on Saturday, September 19, from 9am until noon. There is no cost to attend. During the event, fans and knife collectors can view and…

dueling pianos

Big Blue Madness & Dueling Pianos!

Hospice Care Plus is excited to announce a new fundraiser that combines Kentucky’s love for basketball with music, comedy, an auction, and great food. On Friday, October 16th, Hospice Care Plus will host “Dueling Pianos & Big Blue Madness,” a new event at RT’s Cafe in Richmond. The fun begins at 7pm. The night begins…