Pre-registration required for free sessions

HERMISTON — Vange John Memorial Hospice will host a six-week grief support group starting April 30. Understanding Your Grief-Hope for Healing will meet Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. in the Broun Building at 645 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston.

The series provides information and support through understanding companionship for those coping with grief and is meant to help anyone experiencing the loss of a family member or loved one, or with any form of loss, such as that of health or a job.

“There’s so much need in the community,” Chaplain James Lafolette, of Vange John Memorial Hospice, said.

Lafolette finished the series in February as well as running the grief program last year. He said Understanding Your Grief provides a safe place and support for anyone processing a loss.

The program is based on the work of Dr. Alan Wolfelt, a renowned author, grief counselor and death educator. While the program is not faith-based, Lafolette said it is “faith-friendly.” Everyone is welcome.

Understanding Your Grief provides information and support concerning loss and explores mourning, myths about grief and how everyone grieves differently.

Materials will be provided for registered participants and the group will be led by “understanding companions,” including Lafolette, his wife, other GSHCS chaplains and trained volunteers.

The program encourages volunteer leadership and the companions are not “grief counselors or experts,” Lafolette said. Facilitators, he said, are “available and they listen with the goal of introducing members of the group to available resources and walking with them as they process loss.”

Lafolette hopes to keep the group small for now, however, knowing the need is great, he is open to offering more sessions depending on the response. He also hopes to train more volunteers to run sessions in the future.

“Grief is a journey made easier when you have a companion to walk with,” said Lafolette said.

As a hospice chaplain, Lafolette meets patients and their families or loved ones where they are, providing many kinds of support during their last days.

Polly Conner, also with Vange John Memorial Hospice, said Lafolette does everything from sitting with patients and offering companionship, to providing spiritual support and connections to church or religious resources for patients and their families.

“A part of hospice that’s very important is working with families at end of life, but even beyond that, our hospice team provides bereavement support to families after losing their loved ones,” Lafolette said.

Conner said hospice continues to provide support for the family for up to 13 months after a patient dies. This continued support from Lafolette means checking in, making phone calls, being there for the family or loved ones, and helping ensure they have access to the resources needed after a patient’s death.

Good Shepherd Healthcare System’s Vange John Memorial Hospice is a Medicare-certified program. It provides compassionate care and support for terminally ill patients and their families during end of life. Support is focused on symptom management for comfort and quality of life provided in the patient’s home, Conner said. Support includes medication management, medical equipment, bath aid services, routine nursing visits and 24-hour nursing support, chaplain and social services, occupational therapy, massages and volunteers.

Registration is required to attend the Understanding Your Grief series. For more information, contact 541-667-3814 or jlafolette@gshealth.org. To learn more about Vange John Memorial Hospice, visit www.gshealth.org/hospice.