Regional Hospice starting grief support group

IRONWOOD — Regional Hospice is beginning a six-week grief support group, starting in May, at the Aspirus Ironwood clinic.

The group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m., every Monday between May 1 and June 12 in the clinic’s education room.

“When a person who is a part of our lives dies, understanding the uniqueness of this loss can guide us in finding the support we will need,” a hospice spokesperson said in a release announcing the group. “Sometimes aspects of our backgrounds will affect our grieving. We all belong to varied ethnic and religious groups, each with its own beliefs and rituals about death. These rituals, customs and beliefs will facilitate our grieving. Other times they may complicate it.”

Hospice social worker Ken Hanson will facilitate the group.

People react to loss differently, according to the spokesperson. Grief can include physical symptoms — such as headaches, tenseness, exhaustion and loss of appetite — as well as emotions; such as anger, guilt, anxiety and sadness.

“In order to resolve grief, we have to understand and work through difficult emotions,” the spokesperson said. “This task is often one of the hardest. Grief is, by its very nature an emotionally wrenching experience filled with all kinds of vivid and contradictory feelings. It often helps just to talk to others who are dealing with grief issues. Research indicates those who are actively participating in a grief support group tend to navigate the grief process more successfully than those who do not. The awareness of what affects the manner, intensity and duration of grief enables one to move towards wellness and a renewed sense of hope.”

This group is different from the hospice’s monthly support group, according to the spokesperson.

Those interested in attending the group can RSVP by calling 906-663-0308, although it’s not mandatory for participation.

More information on Regional Hospice and its services can be found at regionalhospice.org.

—Richard Jenkins