Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Over the next few weeks, Hospice of Chattanooga will be hosting Facebook Live videos to share resources for the community in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent tornadoes in the Chattanooga area.
These resources will be linked to this blog post to make it easy for everyone to find them.
Tips on getting through the rest of this holiday season
Holidays can be difficult on many levels with all the expectations, commitments, and responsibilities. When you add grief and Covid it can be overwhelming. Join us today as we will talk about ways to navigate through the holiday's during this difficult time
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Grieving Children and the Holidays
In the midst of this holiday season, let's take a look at some of the ways that we can help grieving children navigate through what is supposed to be a joyous time of the year. Whether experiencing their first Christmas without their special person, or the losses we all feel due to COVID-19, let's discuss some things that can help children, and perhaps us as well, to make this the best season possible.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
“This Will Be My First...”
Donna Rosado, Grief Counselor with Hospice of Chattanooga, Alleo Health, will be going live on Facebook on December 3 at 4 PM.
One of the most commonly anticipated and dreaded experiences of the bereaved is entering a significant day or holiday without a dear one who has passed on. As one prepares for the holidays, there are ways to reframe the emotional pain associated with adjusting to new experiences without the person’s physical presence. Having a healthy coping strategy can help equip one to get through these valleys of mourning.
If you have further questions, please contact Donna Rosado at 423-385-5791 or donna_rosado@hospiceofchattanooga.org
How normal is your grief?
While everyone truly grieves differently, there are some common thoughts and characteristics of grieving, and some of those make us feel like we never get through a difficult time. Let's share during this time some of those things that are common for those grieving as we gain the strength to do this hard work of getting through, not over, our grief.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
The Unspeakable death through miscarriage, stillbirth or as an infant: Part 2
Today we will follow up with the story that Gwendolyn shared about Caleb last week and discuss some of the ramifications that occur when a death occurs through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. We will discuss disenfranchised grief and explore ways to talk with a mom, dad, or family members when they have experienced a baby's death.
The unspeakable death through miscarriage, stillbirth, or as an infant. President Reagan proclaimed October as National Infant Loss Awareness Month in 1988. Today we will talk about the unspeakable loss that parents and individuals often experience when they have had a miscarriage, stillbirth or a baby die in infancy. Join us as we talk about disenfranchised grief, as well as ways to talk with a parent or individual who has experienced infant death. On October 15th at 6:30 Hospice of Chattanooga will be hosting a virtual candlelight memorial service to honor babies that have died too soon. "A child is a child, no matter how small. Remember them one and remember them all".
If you have further questions or would like to register for the virtual candlelight memorial service, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
The Five Love Languages and Grief
Let's take a fresh look at the well-known book "The Five Love Languages" and be reminded of the importance of helping to keep other's "love tanks" full. By discovering the love languages of those we care about, we are better able to help them feel the love that we have for them. This is even more important if those around us are experiencing grief. Please join for some timely reminders.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Donna Rosado, Grief Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address waves of grief and healing.
When our senses like the things we see, touch, hear, smell and taste stir us emotionally, it may often feel like we’re losing control. The process of grief is heightened by these experiences very much like the waves of the ocean.
Emotions drive our decisions, motivations, or lack thereof, and responses to the outside world. There are times we need validation and normalization even when we don’t realize we need it most. When we want to run far away from the pain of grief, we may be running away from healing that is possible.
If you have further questions, please contact Donna Rosado at 423-385-5791 or donna_rosado@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Grief and Loss as a Young Adult
In this week's Facebook Live, we will talk about the ways that young adults often process their grief. As a young adult (18-25 years old) there are many life changes happening at one time: learning to live independently, deciding on a career path, relationships, and trying to make sense of who you are and what is important to you. The death of a loved one at this time in your life impacts all of these changes and challenges. Today we will discuss some tools that may be helpful when you are faced with the death of a loved one.
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
School's In - Navigating School in a COVID World
Almost all of our children are facing changes in the way they have done school in the past. Listen as tips are shared about how to help our children navigate through these changes into wonderful school years.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Teen Resilience through Loss in the Face of COVID-19.
The losses teens are facing are significant to them and while we grieve our losses, we need to acknowledge the grief, stress, and anxiety teens are facing. Meet a teen as she shares her perspective on where she was at the start of COVID-19 and where she is now as she returns back to school.
If you have further questions, please contact Donna Rosado at 423-385-5791 or donna_rosado@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Finding Joy in the midst of the pandemic
As we are now into 5 months of navigating through this pandemic, many people are finding it difficult to find moments of joy with all of the negative news and reality. Today, we will focus on some ways to put joy in your life even with the pandemic looming around us. Bring a pad of paper and a pen!
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. According to the CDC, there is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts. So many questions...so many what-ifs? Let's talk today about this tragic act and the impact it has on those left behind.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Depression, fear, anxiety, and grief with COVID-19
Susan Latta, Director of Grief Counseling, here at Hospice of Chattanooga will be going Live on our Facebook page on Thursday, July 30, at 4 PM.
As we enter into month 5 of COVID-19 and all that is happening in our world, there are many feelings that are not going away. In this week's Facebook Live, we will talk about the impact of COVID-19 and navigating through feelings of depression, fear, anxiety, and grief in this new world that all of us are experiencing.
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
When a Child Dies of a Drug Overdose
Donna Rosado, Grief Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address grieving when a child dies of a drug overdose.
Description: According to the CDC, 67,000 people died from a drug overdose in 2018, and of those deaths, almost 70% involved a prescription or illicit opioid.
Parents throughout the country are faced with grieving the death of a child to the devastating effects of a drug overdose.
Managing to cope with this unimaginable loss is becoming a story that families are experiencing on a daily basis. Sharing Our Stories, a virtual grief support group for mothers of children who have died from a drug overdose will take place on 6 consecutive Tuesday nights. August 4th - September 8th.
If you have further questions, please contact Donna Rosado at 423-385-5791 or donna_rosado@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Tips for Supporting Grieving Children
Whether it be due to the loss of a loved one, or due to the loss of "normalcy" in our lives due to COVID-19, there are some things that we can do to help our children cope with their grief. Listen in to hear just how common grief is for children and ways that you can help bring healing to their lives.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Ways to address loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic
Susan Latta, Director of Grief Counseling, here at Hospice of Chattanooga will be going Live on our Facebook page on Thursday, July 9, at 4 PM.
In this week's Facebook Live, we will talk about the ongoing reality and increase in loneliness during this stressful time of the pandemic. We will discuss the various components of loneliness and how this has increased significantly since the beginning of March. We will talk about ways to continue to stay connected with others and ourselves during this time.
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Donna Rosado, Grief Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address growth through grief.
When experiencing loss, a common grief reaction is to think that the intensity of the pain will remain forever. It takes strength and courage to grow through grief. There is comfort in knowing that through the adjustment and struggle, it is possible over time to gain new insights and to re-frame the loss as an opportunity to grow through the journey.
If you have further questions, please contact Donna Rosado at 423-385-5791 or donna_rosado@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Sally Ensley, Grief Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address the meaning of ambiguous grief during COVID-19.
Ambiguous grief occurs when the cause of the grief is still living or present. Examples might include the pain caused due to a missing person, those whose loved one has dementia or has experienced a traumatic brain injury, or someone has had a miscarriage. Perhaps ambiguous grief is also what is felt when a "way of life changes" as it has for all of us. Listen today to discover what is the source of your grief and hear some suggestions on how to get through it.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
It has been 2 years! You should be over their death?
Susan Latta, Director of Grief Counseling, here at Hospice of Chattanooga will be going Live on our Facebook page on Thursday, June 18, at 4 PM.
In this Facebook live we will explore the various conversations that people often hear when they start sharing about their loved one that has been dead for more than 1+ years. Disenfranchised grief will be discussed as we find ways to have a conversation with someone that has experienced the death of a loved one past a year.
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Donna Rosado, Grief Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address boundaries and healing.
Now more than ever we have challenges and opportunities facing us by having safe parameters for ourselves and others as we navigate life in new ways with our families, friends, and communities. We will discuss setting boundaries in our continued journey towards healing in relationships and experiences.
Goal: Learn what are boundaries and how to communicate boundaries in a pandemic. If you have further questions, please contact Donna Rosado at 423-385-5791 or donna_rosado@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Sally Ensley, Grief Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address what it means to understand grief.
When becoming a grief counselor with Hospice of Chattanooga a year and a half ago, Sally felt she had a good understanding of grief. But in her time at Hospice of Chattanooga, she realized how much she really didn't know and how much was left to learn. Join Sally as she shares some of those things to help get through our own grief better as well as be able to better help those around us.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org
Compassion Fatigue: Caring for ourselves as we continue to care for others.
Susan Latta, Director of Grief Counseling, here at Hospice of Chattanooga will be going Live on our Facebook page on Thursday, May 28, at 4 PM.
During this Facebook Live we will:
discuss what Compassion Fatigue is
explore ways to care for ourselves & others
have a time of Q&A with Susan Latta
Compassion Fatigue is often referred to as professionals who are caring for others: medical professionals, teachers, therapists, etc. With COVID-19, many people have become full-time caregivers to their families and are experiencing compassion fatigue. We will explore ways to care for ourselves as we continue to care for our families and others during this time.
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Supporting Someone Who is Grieving.
Donna Rosado, Grief Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address how to support someone who is grieving.
What do I say and what can I do? Finding the right words and doing the right thing is often a daunting task when someone you know is experiencing loss. A comforting presence and a caring gesture can leave a lasting impression through the grief journey.
If you have further questions, please contact Donna Rosado at 423-385-5791 or donna_rosado@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Helping Kids Grieve Through COVID-19
Sally Ensley, Grief Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address grief in children during COVID-19. During this Facebook Live, Sally will cover:
What can cause grief in children
ways to help children during their grief
a time of questions and answers with Sally
It has been said, "The feelings of grief are the same with every loss. The intensity of the feelings is what is different." Whether it is grieving not being able to tell their friends goodbye for the summer or the death of a loved one, children need opportunities to work through their grief. Let 's discuss some ways we can best help our children during these difficult days.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org
We will discuss grief and grieving in this unique time. During this Facebook live we will:
elements of grief
ways to normalize and validate feelings of grief
a time for questions & answers with Susan
Grief is all around us. Each of us will experience our grief uniquely as well as different from anyone else in our family or support system. We will explore some common elements of grief that people often experience and find ways to normalize and validate the many feelings of grief.
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Creating a Self-Care Plan When Life is Interrupted - April 30
Donna Rosado, Bereavement Counselor with Hospice of Chattanooga, will be addressing self-care when life is interrupted. This Facebook Live will be covering:
What self-care is
having a self-care plan
a time of questions and answers with Donna
When external circumstances affect us internally, having and executing a plan is part of the human experience. Creating a balanced and meaningful response can often minimize feelings of inadequate productivity. Join us to create a self-care plan. Bring your journal and a pen and let’s have some fun!
If you have further questions, please contact Donna Rosado at 423-385-5791 or donna_rosado@hospiceofchattanooga.org
The Juggling Act: Working, Parenting, and Home Schooling during a Pandemic - 4/23
Sally Ensley, Bereavement Counselor at Hospice of Chattanooga, will address juggling working, parenting, and homeschooling children during a pandemic. During this Facebook Live, Sally will cover:
How do we "do it all" without becoming overwhelmed?
What tools are there to help us manage?
A time for questions and answers with Sally
No one could have ever predicted our families would spend so much time together, so understanding feelings of being overwhelmed as well as what children are feeling are critical.
If you have further questions, please contact Sally Ensley at 423-892-4289 or sally_ensley@hospiceofchattanooga.org
Presentation by Susan Latta for the Chattery - 4/23
Susan Latta, Director of Bereavement, here at Hospice of Chattanooga will be going Live on our Facebook page on Thursday, April 16, at 4 PM. We will discuss the anxiety that is so present in many of our lives with the COVID-19 and now the tornado that hit our area on Sunday night. During this Facebook live we will:
talk about the power of naming your anxiety
find tools to help when your anxiety surfaces in this world of so many unknowns
have time for questions & answers with Susan
Naming and normalizing anxiety can be essential in feeling like you can have some sense of control in your life.
If you have further questions, please contact Susan Latta at (423) 805-7112 or susan_latta@hospiceofchattanooga.org.
Additional Resources
National Alliance of Grieving Children (NAGC): wonderful information on kids and teen grief - https://childrengrieve.org/
Dougy Center: Based in Portland Oregon they are the leaders in teaching about children and teen grief. dougy.org
MissFoundation.org: Focusing on perinatal and infant death
The Compassionate Friends, Inc.: This is an international organization that is for parents that have had a child die. There is a chapter in Chattanooga that meets 1 time a month. - https://www.compassionatefriends.org/
Calm App, Headspace app, relax melodies app, brain.fm: music for the brain
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-272-8255
Mental Health Crisis Line 800-704-2651
The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386