Caregiving and Hospice, September 23 - September 29, 2012

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

• Empowering article! "[It's] time to educate ourselves about caregiving," http://bit.ly/SIrdFK from @caregivingcafe via @CaregiverSN

• 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

• How technology can help you manage Caregiving: Favorite picks, http://bit.ly/Sdzxb9 via @CaregiverSN

• Video on End Of Life Care: The Difficult (And Neglected) Conversation, http://huff.to/SoNmmt via @ALSAssistiveTec

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

• The Needs of Those Who Grieve, http://j.mp/P99v7X « Maureen Hunter, Esdeer

• Lost someone and can't sleep? Updated: Tips for Coping with Sleeplessness http://j.mp/hkoXnZ by @GriefHealing via @PetDecisions

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

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

• Good advice on explaining an animal's death to kids, http://ow.ly/e0TrW « Parenting Magazine

• Offering Support: What to Say (or Not) to a Grieving Animal Lover, http://j.mp/QzbIuP « Grief Healing Blog

• Not easy: Deciding When a Pet Has Suffered Enough, http://j.mp/Ok36ws « New York Times

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

Source

[Reviewed and updated April 7, 2024]

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.

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

• News about our friends at StoryCorps Legacy capturing hospice stories! http://fb.me/1tPInsQNF

• Little-Known Benefit for Aging Veterans, http://j.mp/PqwcqI « New York Times

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

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

• Grief Digest Magazine: Grief without Belief, http://j.mp/UmGdoE

• HFA: Helping Grieving Children, http://j.mp/S98VY8 

• Letting Children Share in Grief, http://nyti.ms/OFA4Hv

• Changed for Good, http://buff.ly/QUAIPI

• Grieving the loss of a good friend is also for the loss of special times, http://buff.ly/QPwUzb

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

• Parting is sweet sorrow for 'Mutts' creator, http://j.mp/VomMhH

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

Caregiving and Hospice, September 9 - September 15, 2012

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

• Now's the time to ask: How do you want to die? http://j.mp/ONqQV9 

• When Work Makes You Choose,  http://j.mp/O4a2O4 « New York Times

• Caring for dad: when is enough enough? http://j.mp/SkWJnD « Caregiver Stress 

• Animal Assisted Therapy: Outstanding interview re Pet Partners program, http://j.mp/TZUDOf

• An Esssay: Vote YES for Online Communties http://buff.ly/S3QmoJ by @TheBowTieGuy via @IAmAmeerah @natriceR @caregivin

• Lovely! When a hospice nurse's loved one is in hospice, http://ht.ly/dARFA via @AgraceHospice

Understanding and Managing Grief, September 9 - September 15, 2012

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

• Nurses examine caregiver grief http://bit.ly/Ptjsh0 MT @new_spri

• Beautiful story: The Widow's Doctor Visit, http://j.mp/SoaYIj  « New York Times

• The Moments after a Death, http://ow.ly/dFOYI « Canadian Virtual Hospice via @AMSPhoenix

• Do you know a child who’s experienced a loss? Kids speak out, http://youtu.be/DjFHpUZAfFM « YouTube

• How do you define grief moving forward? http://j.mp/SLlS17

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

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

• Tips: How To Cope With The Death Of Your Dog Or Cat, http://j.mp/TDHI5W 

• Penn grief counselor helps pet owners cope with pet loss, http://ow.ly/1mngkz via @GriefHelp

• The Power of the Dog, http://youtu.be/mCA-BcqPcQg poem by Rudyard Kipling via @Punjikasthala

• Sunday, September 9 is National Pet Memorial Day, http://j.mp/PeIh3I « The Family Plot Blog

Caregiving and Hospice, September 2 - September 8, 2012

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

• Important information on handling a violent care recipient, http://aarp.us/Qo2LZC by @SallyAbrahms via @AARP

• Helping Teens and Families Cope with Terminal Illness, http://bit.ly/POr9Pv via @hospicepharmacy

• Words matter! Not a Cancer Survivor, http://j.mp/UyGsPJ « The New York Times

• Palliative care expert says: Have your end-of-life wishes in black and white, http://j.mp/RU2bgY

• When I go: Advance directives protect your last wishes, http://j.mp/NgrE7G

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

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

• Use Social Networks To Cope With The Death Of Your Loved One, http://j.mp/QbjBGZ by Lou LaGrand « The Grief Toolbox  

• Things Not to Say to People Who Are Grieving,  http://j.mp/PbZxGG « The Grief Toolbox   

• 3 Truths You Must Know About Your Grief, http://wp.me/p1l0Zh-9W by @griefminister01

• Stunning grief poem: For the Night, http://buff.ly/Qpv47Q via @survivegrief

• 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:

• Hospice observes National Pet Loss Memorial Day on Sunday, September 9, http://j.mp/OhLill via @thetimesnews

• Jenna Henry Hansen: On the Loss of a Furry Loved One, http://j.mp/P2vzmW

• Helplines, Message Boards, Chats: support for pet loss, http://j.mp/7zEVf

• How Soon Should You Get a New Pet after pet loss? http://goo.gl/fb/iJ0hf via @jraclinic

Deathbed Promises: Honoring a Mother’s Dying Wish

[Reviewed and updated November 17, 2024]

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.

Caregiving and Hospice, August 26 - September 1, 2012

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

• Terri Cole: Getting Fearless About Death and Dying (VIDEO), http://j.mp/O2YIRX 

• What caregiving services can I find in my community? http://j.mp/QO3ym6 « Sharecare

• Booklet, Hospice Care Conversation Starters: A Guide to Introducing Hospice, http://j.mp/PU4gNi free download « Halcyon Hospice 

• Very helpful! Death Wish: Dealing With a Negative, High-Maintenance, Aging Parent, http://j.mp/N3QpE4

• Hospice of the Valley's Dementia Program, http://j.mp/QYmnO8 « YouTube

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

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

• Reflections of you are always in my heart, http://j.mp/OFBjRC by @TheGriefToolbox 

• Terrific review of the entire series, "Six Feet Under,"  http://j.mp/RxLsjl by Gail Rubin « The Family Plot Blog 

• "Great tips and links for anyone supporting someone in grief," http://j.mp/Mamfjj by @GriefHealing via @MyCastleHeart  

• Stronger than you think you are: Widow's Voice: The Things I've Done, http://j.mp/QxUIsO 

• Is Lingering in Grief Right or Wrong? http://j.mp/Q14yl8 « Grief Digest Magazine

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 

• Understanding the grief of losing a pet, http://bit.ly/UdSaPm via @KSkipperFoster

• Dealing with guilt after pet loss, http://j.mp/PU7WPl  by Marianne Soucy