Bereavement Services

 

As part of our Social Work Department at Milford Care Centre we provide a Bereavement Service.

Of all the losses faced in life the death of a partner, family member or friend can leave the deepest feelings of loneliness and pain.  Whilst grief and loss are a normal part of life there may be times when it feels as if there is no way through.   Many people do not require support or counselling to help them deal with their grief.   Others, though, do benefit from professional bereavement support. 

The Bereavement Support Service provides support to:

• Those bereaved by death of somebody who had been cared for by the Hospice services.
• Any person bereaved by the death of somebody where there had been no contact with the Hospice services, regardless of circumstances, as resources allow. 

When?
The full impact of the bereavement may occur at any time, even years after the death.  Contact may be made with the service as and when the need arises.

How?
Bereavement counselling and support is available through a number of avenues:

Individual bereavement counselling, which may be a one-off session or regular meetings over a period of time, is available to children and adults who are grieving the death of someone close. 

Telephone support is available for people who are unable to travel to  Milford Care Centre.

Bereavement Support Groups for adults:

• For adults bereaved by the death of a spouse/partner
• A monthly drop-in group for those who have attended a  bereaved spouse/partner group
• For parents grieving the death of a child 
• For adults grieving the death of a parent

Bereavement Support Education Programme

The Bereavement Support Education Programme is a twelve week programme which has been developed and refined over many years by the Social Work Department in Milford Care Centre.

The course offers insight and awareness into a comprehensive range of isues around the dynamics of grief and loss from death in different circumstances.  Some of the topics covered are:

• Attachment
• Theories of Grief
• Family and Bereavement
• Children and Grief
• Spirituality and Spiritual needs in bereavement
• Anger and Grief
• Grief and loss in Suicide

This is done by exploring different aspects and types of bereavement.  It provides information and education about bereavement in various circumstances; personal, social and cultural.

The course uses a combination of teaching methods and presentations including group work, lectures and personal exercises.  A self development weekend during the programme allows people to examine their own private grief journey in a safe and confidential environment and is an essential component of the course.

This course will appeal to a wide variety of people in their private and professional lives; teachers, nurses, carers, clergy and pastoral ministers, counselors and those who hae contact and concern for the bereaved.

Applications for the course are made through the Education Department in Milford Care Centre.  Information evenings are provided in May and intending participants are given an opportunity to learn more about the programme, have questions answered and arrange a meeting with a member of the team.

The Children & Family Programme

At Milford, we recognise how important it is to support bereaved children, especially within their family networks.  We offer the following services:

• Individual sessions for children
• Pre-school children and parent/guardian support sessions (1-4yrs)
• Parent/guardian and child sessions (5-18yrs)
• Support groups for children.  Bereavement groups for children and young people are organised according to age.(6-12 and 13-18yrs)
• Parenting Bereaved Children. Support for parents in responding to their children’s needs when they are bereaved. 
• Annual Family Day

Bereavement Information Evenings, providing information on grief and bereavement and the support services available, are held 4 times per year, on the 4th Tuesday of February, May, August and November from 7.00pm to 8.30pm in the Education Department at Milford Care Centre. 

Education is available through:

• The Bereavement Support Education Programme (see above)
• Information, advice and support to Parish and Community Groups offering Bereavement support in their own areas
• Other workshops and educational inputs on bereavement are available on request.

How do I contact the Bereavement Service?

The Bereavement Service may be contacted by:

• Email: info@milfordcarecentre.ie
• Phone call: +353 61 485 800
• Direct contact through Milford Care Centre’s Social Work Department, the Specialist Palliative Care In-patient Unit or the Hospice at Home service.