This doesn’t exactly fit our bucket-list-story mold, but we couldn’t help but share it. As we’ve said before, most of our bucket-list wishes come to us in response to the question, “What’s most important to you today?” We didn’t ask that question of these teenagers, but still they told us how important it was to them to help other kids through a loss. After all, who better than a teenager who’s been through it herself?
Have you ever tried to buy a sympathy card for a child or teenager who’s lost a loved one? It’s very hard to find something that fits.
Our bereavement coordinator, Nora Brashear, LCSW, recently went in search of such cards. When she came back empty-handed, she decided to go to the experts.
Luckily, we have access to some brilliant teens who’ve been through it and know first-hand what works. Nora asked two of them what they found most helpful, and they agreed that the homemade cards they received from other kids were the ones that most lightened the load.
Two of these teenagers talked with Nora about making cards for our hospice to use with children. One is a 13-year-old who lost a parent suddenly a few years ago. Another is a 17-year-old who recently lost a sibling. Both of them have received grief counseling through our Bereavement Outreach program, and both were delighted to put their arts-and-crafts skills to work for other kids who are grieving.
Nora used grant funds to purchase the card-making supplies, gave them to the two teens, and they went to work. These photos are of the first set of cards they’ve completed. We thought they did an outstanding job!
Nora and the rest of our bereavement staff will use the cards with the children of our hospice patients, and also with children in the community who come to us for grief and
loss support.
We’re so happy to have these cards on-hand, but we’re even happier that two special teens used their own losses to help make another child’s loss a bit easier.
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:
HCP Launches New Website
Print & Online Resources for Caregivers
News & Events
HCP Launches New Website
Hospice Care Plus has launched a re-design of the hospicecareplus.org website. The new design provides visitors with a more informative and user-friendly experience and easy access to the support, resources, and education needed to make informed health and caregiving decisions when faced with serious illness. “We strive to make every interaction with Hospice Care Plus…
Print & Online Resources for Caregivers
Caregiving for a loved one can be profoundly rewarding, but anyone who has done this work knows that managing multiple responsibilities with limited time can be challenging. In today’s digital age, caregivers can access many websites, apps, and books designed to educate, offer resources, and simplify their caregiving duties. While each offers unique features, they…
Kroger Community Rewards Makes Giving Easy
The Kroger Community Rewards program allows customers to use their Kroger Plus Card to earn money for their favorite nonprofit organization. All you have to do is register your Kroger Plus Card online at Kroger Community Rewards, search for Hospice Care Plus, and enroll. Then, every time you shop at Kroger and use your Plus Card, our…
Advance Care Directive: Next Steps
Completing an advance care directive is a significant step in ensuring your healthcare wishes are honored if you cannot communicate them yourself. However, proactive steps are required to ensure your wishes are known and respected. Here are the essential next steps to take after completing your advance care directive. Share Your Documents Make sure that…