End of Life - Facing Cancer Together

Partnership expands hospice care in the midstate

2012-08-07T19:27:48Z

(Lancaster) -- Two major midstate health care providers are joining together today to offer their services to more people. Hospice of Lancaster County and York County-based WellSpan Health are partnering to form "Hospice and Community Care."

Steve Knaub serves as its president. He says the affiliation will bring end-of-life care and grief counseling to an underserved population in York and Adams counties. "It gives a chance to reach people in a very specialized manner," Knaub says. "We have the ability to be specialized with pediatric hospice care, with dementia support, through wound specialization. All of those really can help."

Knaub says workers with WellSpan's VNA Hospice will become part of Hospice and Community Care. He says Hospice of Lancaster County currently cares for more than 500 people per day. Its services are now available in all of York and Lancaster counties, and parts of Adams, Berks, Chester, Lebanon, and Dauphin counties.

by Craig Layne, witf news

Last modified on Monday, 06 August 2012 04:47

Ask the funeral directors

2012-07-16T13:48:12Z

Death is a topic we often don’t talk about. It could be one of the reasons more of us aren’t prepared for our funerals or haven’t conveyed our wishes to family members.

More and more people are pre-planning their funerals. Sometimes, they’re surprised at how much planning goes into even a small event.

Because the discussion doesn’t come up often, there are many questions surrounding what becomes of our bodies after death.

Funeral directors and supervisors from Central PA answer community questions in this episode of Radio Smart Talk.

For example, how to pick out and pay for a burial plot, what’s a funeral cost, what goes into the cremation process, or what about being buried “green?”

The guests include funeral directors Steven R. Kreamer of Kreamer Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. in Annville, Tom Buter of The Groffs Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Lancaster and Theodore Beck of Buch Funeral Home in Manheim.

Listen to the program: {mp3remote}http://witf.vo.llnwd.net/o35/smarttalk/radiosmarttalk/RST_July162012.mp3{/mp3remote}

Other questions that they help answer in the program are:

Madison- "I had heard about a thing where you can send ashes some where and have them turned into a diamond...I love this idea because then they could be given to the children to keep...I was wondering how expensive this really is and how it works?"

Rebecca- "I recently had my teeth cleaned. The hygienist mentioned my gold tooth. This had me thinking about when I die do these teeth have value and does a funeral director remove this gold and give it to the family?"

What questions do you have? Please leave a comment below.

Related Stories

Living wills and end of life directives
Resolving issues of faith
Grief is a sacred sorrow worthy of expression
Coping with loss during the holidays
Giving the gift of goodbye
End of life care on TV Smart Talk

Emilio Parga: Helping kids grieve by creating memories

2012-05-22T14:35:00Z

"Though a life has ended, it won't really end depending how person is celebrated and remembered." Emilio Parga, MA, is the Founder & Executive Director of The Solace Tree in Reno, Nevada, a grief and loss center for children, teens and families.

An important part of what they do at The Solace Tree is "helping kids create memories so there isn't unresolved grief."

In 2002, Emilio Parga discovered that he had cancer. At the time, he was also assisting students who had lost parents to suicide, accidental death and cancer. In his attempt to provide these children with emotional support, he realized that many kids and teenagers in Northern Nevada had lost a parent, sibling or caregiver throughout the year, and that there were no grief support programs for them. That’s when Emilio created the Solace Tree in 2004.

The mission ofThe Solace Tree is that all children, teens and their family members have the freedom to express their feelings associated with death in a safe and loving environment. The peer support programs and educational opportunities at the Solace Tree help children, teens and their family members to freely express their feelings associated with death in a safe and loving environment. The programs also help them learn to cope and adjust to the changes in their lives.

In the video below are some highlights from Emilio Parga's presentation at "I'm Here With You: Understanding Children & Grief," a special community forum addressing myths, fears, and questions related to children's grief. You can watch Emilio's entire presentation here.

You can purchase Emilio's books and journals at The Solace Tree Boookstore.

Do you have questions about children and grief? Please leave a comment below and we'll find the answers for you.

The Solace Tree
P.O. Box 2944
Reno, Nevada 89505

Phone: (775) 324-7723
Email: info@solacetree.org

Related links:

Watch a presentation by Leslie Delp, M.A. (founder and bereavement specialist at Olivia’s House in York, PA)
Children and grief forum: Panel of experts answer questions
Learn more about children and grief
Tell your cancer story, or remember someone special who has passed away from cancer at the Facing Cancer Together Digital Quilt

Leslie Delp: Grief is a sacred sorrow worthy of expression

2012-05-21T14:33:38Z

“Grief is neither a problem to solve nor a difficulty to overcome. It’s a sacred sorrow worthy of expression.” These are the words of child grief expert Leslie Delp, who helped a group of parents, teachers, and caregivers understand grief through the eyes of a child at a community forum.

Leslie Delp, MA, is the Founder & Bereavement Specialist at Olivia's House in York, PA, a grief and loss center for children and families. Leslie said at the forum "When you leave blanks for children, they make stuff up- and it's not always good." That's why Olivia's House is there to support parents in being honest with their children. She added, "Our job at Olivia's House is to provide support for parents- and to encourage them to provide their kids with opportunities for questions."

To Leslie and her team at Olivia’s House, a child doesn’t need to be fixed, they need to be supported. Learn more from Leslie in the video below, or click here to watch her entire presentation given at "I'm Here With You: Understanding Children & Grief," a special community forum addressing myths, fears, and questions related to children's grief.

Olivia's House is an organization of caregiving professionals and volunteers committed to supporting grieving children. Its purpose is to facilitate healing through grief and loss education.

Olivia's House
  830 S. George Street  
York, PA 17403

Phone: 717-699-1133
Email: leslie@oliviashouse.org

Do you have any questions related to children and grief? Please leave a comment below and we'll find the answer for you.

Related stories:

Click here to learn about children and grief from Emilio Parga, MA, the founder and executive director of the Solace Tree in Reno, NV.
Check out more from "I'm Here With You: A forum on understanding children and grief"
Watch a video about Olivia's House
Watch a video of Leslie talking about "Giving the gift of goodbye"
Learn about "The Confessional" at Olivia's House in this video

Camp Mend A Heart taking registrations

2012-05-18T14:53:52Z

Camp Mend A Heart, a one-day camp designed to support grieving children who have experienced a death of a loved one, will be held Saturday, June 2, at Camp Cann-Edi-On near York Haven, Pa.

The goal of the camp is to help children understand the death experience, learn about grief and have fun.

The camp, coordinated by WellSpan VNA Home Health, is staffed by a registered nurse, physical education instructor, trained adult volunteers, counselor and other members of WellSpan VNA Home Health and Hospice teams.There is a minimal registration fee to attend the event. Scholarships are available.

For more information, call 812-4433 or (877) 862-6006. You may also email jrunge@wellspan.org

Children and Grief Forum Resource Links

2012-05-09T14:18:36Z

At this special community forum, child grief experts Leslie Delp, M.A. (founder and bereavement specialist at Olivia’s House in York, PA) along with Emilio Parga, M.A. (founder and director at The Solace Tree in Reno, Nevada), helped us sort through myths, fears, and questions related to children’s grief.

As adults, death can be a confusing and overwhelming topic for us. What must that all seem like to a young child? Sometimes in our efforts to protect a child from something that scares us, are we really just creating more confusion?

We also want to thank the excellent professionals who shared their wisdom and insight so that we can better understand grief through the eyes of a child.

We learned about the importance of really being present and listening to a child when they want to share with you. And, we now know about the wonderful resources that are available in our community that can help us navigate with confidence.

Video Links:

Leslie Delp, M.A. (founder and bereavement specialist at Olivia’s House in York, PA)
Emilio Parga, M.A. (founder and director at The Solace Tree in Reno, Nevada)
Expert Panel Q & A session Part I
Expert Panel Q & A session Part II

We want to thank each person who attended “I’m Here With You: A forum on understanding children and grief.” You have taken an important step in being there for a child who is facing a loss in their life. We heard many wonderful comments from people who attended:

“I think every childcare provider should take this training.”
“I learned how I can help a grieving child: be present and listen.”
“I am sorry that all of my staff were not there! All of the professionals were awesome!"
“Please, please have this again!”

Now that you have had a chance to process some of what you heard at the forum, we’d love to have a conversation about what you’ve learned. Please leave a comment on this page with any thoughts, reflections, or questions you may have.

Please stay tuned as we will continue to add to a resource list of websites, books, camps and services in our community.

Scroll down to watch a video about myths and fears related to children and grief.

Resources:

Olivia's House :

Olivia's House is an organization of caregiving professionals and volunteers committed to supporting grieving children. Its purpose is to facilitate healing through grief and loss education.

Olivia's House
 830 S. George Street 
York, PA 17403  

Phone: 717-699-1133
Email: leslie@oliviashouse.org

Olivia's House Lending Library

The Solace Tree:

The Solace Tree
P.O. Box 2944
Reno, Nevada 89505

Phone: (775) 324-7723
Email: info@solacetree.org

The Solace Tree Boookstore

WellSpan Health
If you or someone you know develops complications of grief such as disturbing or suicidal thoughts, depression , or anxiety, get help. Grief and Grieving: When to Call a Doctor

Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc.
863 South George Street
York, PA 17403
Phone: 717-854-0053
Email: info@kuhnerequities.com

I’m Here With You: A Community Forum on Understanding Children and Grief May 7th

2012-04-12T14:33:56Z

“I would never take my child to the funeral. She doesn’t understand anyway.”
“I figure I'll just take the pictures down of Nana for a while. Being reminded of her will only upset my son more.”
“My teenager doesn’t talk about his dad anymore. I’m so glad he is over that.”
“I’m afraid I’m gonna say something wrong so I won’t say anything at all."

Can you relate to some of these comments about the way that children grieve? You’re not alone.

Understanding how young children grieve is the focus of

I’m Here With You: A Forum on Children and Grief
on May 7, 2012 from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
at the Jewish Community Center in York.

Please click here to reserve your seat for this FREE community event.

The witf and Facing Cancer Together sponsored community forum is designed for adults who care for young children—families, teachers, principals, child care professionals.

In this special community forum, child grief experts Leslie Delp, M.A. (founder and bereavement specialist at Olivia’s House in York, PA) along with Emilio Parga, M.A. (founder and director at The Solace Tree in Reno, Nevada), will help us sort through myths, fears, and questions related to children’s grief. Many of us just want to figure out what to say.

“You will never scar a child for life by talking about death,” says Leslie Delp, the founder and bereavement specialist at Olivia’s House in York. Olivia’s House is a grief and loss center that offers no cost services for children and young adults whose family member, close friend, or even pet has died. As adults, death can be a confusing and overwhelming topic for us. What must that all seem like to a young child? Sometimes in our efforts to protect a child from something that scares us, are we really just creating more confusion?

“I often ask parents what they would say if their child asked them about rocket science, “ says Delp, “It is a great opportunity to say this is what I know, and this is what I don’t understand. Let’s find out together!” Delp reassures us that it is not about having all the answers, it is about providing the opportunity for children’s questions.

Like Olivia’s House, The Solace Tree provides support to kids experiencing grief.

The mission of the Solace Tree is that all children, teens and their family members have the freedom to express their feelings associated with death in a safe and loving environment. The peer support programs and educational opportunities at the Solace Tree help children, teens and their family members to freely express their feelings associated with death in a safe and loving environment. The programs also help them learn to cope and adjust to the changes in their lives.

It’s places like The Solace Tree and Olivia’s House that provide the support when we don’t have all of the answers. There is a network of places like these across the country providing hope to kids and their families.

At this community event, we’ll have the opportunity to hear what Leslie and Emilio have learned from their experiences. They’ll provide a wealth of knowledge and practical tools to help navigate the bereavement process… through the eyes of a child. And there will be an opportunity to ask questions of an expert panel including Leslie and Emilio.

Let’s learn together, because we’re in this together.

Please click here to reserve your seat for this FREE community event.

If you are a childcare professional and would like to earn a Certificate of Attendance documenting your hours at this forum, please register at www.pakeys.org.

Please call 717.910.2806 with any questions you may have.

Or, you can email facingcancertogether@witf.org. We'll get back to you right away.

We'll see you there!

The Confessional: A unique way that kids are sharing their grief

2012-01-11T20:32:00Z

K.C. Delp, the Executive Director of Olivia's House, a grief and loss center for children in York, PA, says that their goal is to help kids put meaning to their loss and cope in a positive and healthy way.

Olivia’s House focuses on the power of sharing stories as a way to cope. And, they have created a truly unique way of sharing. It’s called “The Confessional.”K.C. says that they noticed that kids were turning to Facebook as a place to dump their emotions after the loss of a loved one. They were sharing things that weren’t necessarily true… it was just how they felt. It also left them vulnerable.

Journaling is a healthy tool for kids struggling to understand their emotions. “The Confessional,” based off of MTV’s Real World confessional, is a safe and private space at Olivia’s House, where kids can create a video journal where they have an opportunity to unload all of their emotions, questions, anxiety. Scroll down for a video about The Confessional.

K.C. emphasizes the privacy of this video journaling experience, in that only two people will ever see the videos. Himself, as the operator of the camera and mics while filming, and the bereavement specialist who reviews the footage to make sure there is nothing to be concerned about.

He says what is said in there stays in there. No one will approach the child about what was shared and want to talk about it. He says this privacy is truly empowering for a child because they feel open to share things that they may not feel comfortable sharing with a parent or anyone else.

At the end of their program, we’ll ask them what they want us to do with their video journal… Destroy it? Make a DVD copy? K.C. says, “But we do ask each child if they trust us enough to use what they have shared and taught us, to help others. And, every single person says ‘Yes, please do.’”

Leslie Delp, Founder and Bereavement Specialist at Olivia’s House, says “You can’t take away pain but you can help them to be a teacher of their pain.” Sharing stories and wisdom is empowering and is a key part of the healing process. K.C. says, “The goal here is to dispel the belief that they’re alone. You’re not alone.

Olivia's House 
830 S. George Street 
York, PA 17403
717-699-1133

Learn more about Olivia's House in this video
Video: Leslie Delp on "giving the gift of goodbye"
Video: Coping with the loss of a loved one during the holiday season

Coping with the loss of a loved one during the holiday season

2011-12-08T19:10:57Z

The holiday season is usually a happy time. The hustle and bustle bring excitement to adults as well as children. But not everyone is joyous. In fact, for those who have lost a loved one since the last holiday or just recently, the holiday season can a period of profound sadness.

Many people who are grieving also feel pressure to get into the spirit of the season. Seeing the many smiling faces often leaves the grief stricken feeling even worse because they're in no state-of-mind to celebrate.

To discuss grief at the holidays, Radio Smart Talk host Scott LaMar speaks with Leslie Delp, a bereavement specialist and founder of Olivia's House, a grief and loss center for children in York.

Leslie says that "giving the gift of goodbye" can be an empowering thing for a family, and is a way to stay connected even after a person has passed away. She says that talking about the person, or remembering them during your holiday celebration by lighting a candle are ways that the person's spirit can live on.

It is hard for family and friends to know how to support someone who is dealing with grief. Instead of avoiding the elephant in the room, Leslie suggests to tell the person that they can't imagine what they must be going through, but you are there for them to support them in any way way they'd like.

Listen to the program for more on coping with grief during the holiday season. LISTEN TO PROGRAM:

{mp3remote}http://witf.vo.llnwd.net/o35/smarttalk/radiosmarttalk/RST_December072011.mp3{/mp3remote}

Learn more about Olivia's House at their website
Explore the many programs offered for all age groups and all loss situations
Here are some additional holiday coping strategies for those who have lost a loved one

Olivia's House
830 S. George Street
York, PA 17403

http://www.oliviashouse.org/
717-699-1133

Please leave a comment below about what your own thoughts are on this topic, or if you've experienced a loss you'd like to talk about.

Radio Smart Talk: How children cope with the loss of a loved one

2011-11-17T21:11:00Z

Dr. John Kajic is the program manager at Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families. Dr. Kajic shares his thoughts on how children grieve the loss of a loved one in this Radio Smart Talk episode. He is joined by Nichelle McLamb who lost her mother in March. She shares her experience with loss and how her young daughter coped with the loss of her grandmother. the Caring Place played a key role in the healing of their family.

The Highmark Caring Place provides peer support groups, referral services, adult telephone support and educational programs and resources for grieving children and families in four Pennsylvania facilities and online. In addition, consultation services, as well as educational presentations and resources, are available for schools and other professionals in the community who work with children. Caring Place programs and services are offered at no cost.

Additional resources are available through the Caring Place website or by contacting one of the four facilities in Pittsburgh, Erie, Lemoyne and Warrendale, Pa. For more information, call 1-866-212-HOPE (4673).

Learn more about the Highmark Caring Place in this video.

LISTEN TO PROGRAM:

{mp3remote}http://witf.vo.llnwd.net/o35/FCT/CaringPlace.mp3{/mp3remote}

Additional resources:

Books are a great way to talk to your kids about the complex issues surrounding death
See how people around the world are raising awareness for grieving children on Children's Grief Awareness Day, November 17th
Find out how "giving the gift of goodbbye" can help families who are facing a terminal diagnosis
Explore other stories about grieving the loss of a loved one in our End of Life section of the website
Explore stories shared about loved ones at the Facing Cancer Together Digital Quilt