Hospice of Michigan Hosts Coping with the Holidays Program

Detroit, October 3, 2014 – Hospice of Michigan will present a series of Coping with the Holidays events, a free community-outreach program that provides the bereaved with tips to deal with grief during a time when most are happy and expressing joy.

“Holidays can be extremely difficult for those suffering from grief, especially during the first year after the death,” said Karen Monts, director of grief support services at Hospice of Michigan. “While grief is a personal experience that takes place over time, gradually the bereaved begin to feel a new sense of purpose and they will learn to live with the loss and once again enjoy this special time of year.”

HOM’s Coping with the Holidays program teaches that the holidays may be challenging, but there are techniques to help handle grief and find comfort, such as:

  • Planning Bereaved individuals who seem to have the most difficulty with the holidays are often those who have given little thought to the emotional challenges they will encounter.
  • Accepting your Family and social pressures, in combination with decision- making challenges, can be overwhelming. Choose a few issues to deal with and limit the number of decisions you need to make so they won’t overwhelm you.
  • Taking care of Exercise, eating a proper and balanced diet and getting the proper amount of rest is critical. Avoid the temptation of excessive alcohol.
  • Lowering Go easy on yourself and try not to over-extend in order to reduce overall stress.

Events will be held:

  • Wednesday, 22, in Grand Rapids at St. Paul the Apostle, 2750 Burton from 3:30- 4:30 p.m.
  • Monday 3, at the HOM Alpena office, 112 W. Chisholm St., from 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 4, at the HOM Bloomfield office, 43097 Woodward, from 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 4, in Lowell at Gilda’s Club, 34 S. Hudson, from 6:15-7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 5, at the HOM Cadillac office, 932 N. Mitchell St., from 1-3 p.m.
  • Monday, 10, in Grand Rapids at Gilda’s Club, 1086 Bridge St., from 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 11, at Fife Lake Public Library, 77 Lakecrest Ave., from 2-3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 12, at the HOM Ludington office, 5177 W. US 10, Ste. 2, from 1-2:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, 13, at the HOM Muskegon office, 1930 E. Apple Ave., from 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 18, at HOM’s Traverse City office, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy, Suite 1155, from 12-1:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 18, at the HOM Fremont office, 33 W. Main St., from 1-3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 18, in Wayne at New Hope Church, 33640 Michigan Ave., from 6:30-8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 19, in Ann Arbor at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, from 6:30-8 p.m.
  • Thursday, 20, in Clinton Township at the HOM Macomb office, 44720 Hayes, from 1:30-3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 2, in Gaylord at The Brook of Gaylord, 900 Hayes Rd., from 1-2:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 2, at the HOM Bloomfield office, 43097 Woodward, from 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, 5, at the HOM Big Rapids office, 400 Perry St., from 1-3 p.m.
  • Saturday, 6, in Gaylord at Aspen Ridge Retirement Village, 1261 Village Parkway from 2-3:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 9, in Clinton Township at the HOM Macomb office, 44720 Hayes, from 6- 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, 11, at the HOM Detroit office, 400 Mack Ave., from 1-2:30 p.m.

The Coping with the Holidays program is open to all those dealing with grief, whether a loved one died recently or decades ago. Participants are invited to enjoy refreshments and listen as        grief experts discuss holiday coping techniques such as planning ahead, accepting limitations, and finding someone who will listen.

To register, contact Hospice of Michigan at 888.247.5701.

About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The non-profit cares for more than 1,700 patients each day, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community- based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.

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