Kathleen

Thank you for this wonderful article Del.
Our Adult Day program has lost four of our seniors already this year. On top of that, one of my co-workers lost an Uncle and my other co-worker lost a very dear friend of the family to a MVI recently. We have all been struggling with our own grief in our own way. I am giving each of my staff a copy of this and we will be talking it over at our staff meeting next week. Our client losses were not expected so were a double blow to us and our clients.
As a group we make small photo albums for the families of their loved ones time with our program, and have everyone sign a card of thanks to the family for sharing their loved one with all of us. We pass the photo album around our group and reminisce as a way of healing with our program attendees. They are encouraged to write down a funny memory or a special moment they remember of the person who has died. We put these in the book as well. This helps all of us heal and the families like the books too. I think as caregivers we often forget to take time to grieve ourselves. That is why I so appreciate your article. It is grounding. Thank you.

These are wonderful. I think I might put jelly beans in mine.