Morgantown Hospice will celebrate its 29th anniversary this summer. In the early days a great deal of the care was provided by volunteers and a few small agencies. There was no reimbursement for hospice services by Medicare or most insurance companies so these small agencies worked together to provide the services people needed as each one could not do everything.
One of the cooperative efforts initiated in November of 1992 was the development of a Hospice Bereavement Support Group. Together with Monongalia County Hospice and Albert Gallatin Hospice, Sue Carpenter of Morgantown Hospice started the first adult bereavement support group in Monongalia County.
Following are services offered by Morgantown Hospice for bereavement care of our families and for those in the community who need support to deal with the loss of a loved one.
- Supportive phone calls by the Bereavement Coordinator or volunteer
- Information about Social Agencies and Community Services that you may need to contact
- Personal visits with you at my office, your home or other location by appointment
- Referral for Grief or Spiritual Counseling
- Guidance or help with financial questions or concerns
- Referral to the West Virginia Family Grief Center to support children ages three to eighteen and their parent(s) or caregivers. You may visit the website at www.wvfgc.org, call 304-282-4935 or e-mail at WVFGC@hotmail.com for more information about this free program.
- The Morgantown Hospice Bereavement Support Group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the Village at Heritage Point below Mon General Hospital. It is open to any adult in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one. It is OK to bring a friend or family member. A reminder of meeting dates and times or special events will be mailed to you about every 3 months.
- "Seasons of the Heart" Memorial Flower Garden is for you to plant a living memory. Click here to learn more about our goals for the Garden)
- Other grief literature and information as needed or requested
- Speaking engagements about grief related issues with your group or organization can be arranged as well.
- *Continuing education opportunities are offered 1-2 times per year with an expert speaker or program on various topics relevant to grief and bereavement. These are open to the community and helping professionals as well as special offerings for bereaved individuals.
If you would like to be included on our mailing list for special offerings and/or quarterly letters and support group notices, please contact us directly at (304) 285-2777 or email youngh@monhealthsys.org. Sharing and learning about your own grief journey is a large part of healing.
Mother Theresa is quoted as saying "Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin".
Don't hesitate to contact Morgantown Hospice if you have questions or just want to talk. There is no charge for the services listed above except for certain continuing education offerings described in the last item*.
Heather Young, MSW - Bereavement Coordinator
(304) 285-2777
youngh@monhealthsys.org
BEREAVEMENT RESOURCE DOWNLOADS
For More Information
If you have any questions about Hospice services, or if you
would like to volunteer or make a contribution, please call Morgantown Hospice at
(304) 285-2777.